Saints Tekousa, Alexandria, Claudia, Phaene, Euphrasia, Matrona, Julia and Theodotus the Parthenomartyrs from Ankara in Galatia and Theodotus the Martyr

Saints Tekousa, Alexandria, Claudia, Phaene, Euphrasia, Matrona, Julia and Theodotus the Parthenomartyrs from Ankara in Galatia and Theodotus the Martyr
Celebration date: 18/05

They came from Ankara in Galatia, dedicated wholeheartedly to the service of the Gospel and were among the greatest servants and athletes of the Christian faith. Always eager for works of mercy and charity, they collaborated at the same time in attracting idolaters to the bosom of the Church. They were denounced for their work and refused to sacrifice to idols.

Then they were handed over by the ruler of Ankara Theoteknos to the soldiers to corrupt them. But because, by the grace of God, they were preserved pure, they all drowned in the depths of that lake. Theodotos (see also June 7), whose aunt was one of those holy women, Tekousa, retrieved their remains at night and buried them. But he was discovered and because he did not want to deny Christ, he was beheaded after many tortures. And the fact that he was a family man and left behind a widow and orphans makes him even more praiseworthy.