Thecla was born in the first century at Iconium in Greece (which is now in Turkey). She was beautiful, well-educated and came from a very rich family.

At the age of 18, her father got her engaged to a rich and generous pagan prince named Thamyris.

When St. Paul the apostle came to preach the Gospel of Jesus in Iconium, Thecla’s prayer to know the one, true God was answered.

She immediately gave up all her dreams of marriage, forgot her beauty, converted to Christianity and became a true follower of Jesus. She was the first woman evangelist in the Church.

When her parents and Thamyris found out what she had done, they tried to make her change her mind, with no success. Then they reported her to the governor who decided to have her burned at the stake.

When the fire was lit, Thecla bravely went making the Sign of the Cross. Suddenly, a strong wind blew and heavy rain poured down putting out the fire.

She was then thrown to the lions and making the Sign of the Cross she offered her spirit to the Lord. At once, the lions lay down at her side, and licked her feet, like pet kittens.

The next day each of her arms were tied to a bull and the soldiers began burning the bulls with red-hot irons trying to make them angry so they would eat her. But the bulls remained calm and did not move.

Finally she was thrown into a valley with poisonous snakes but a fire began and destroyed the snakes.

The shocked judge asked Thecla “Who are you, that you are always saved?” She answered “I am a daughter of Christ, Son of the living God. He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life; He is the one who protects me. To Him be glory and power for ever and ever.” The judge immediately set her free.

Then many people began to believe in Jesus including her mother and people in her town. The queen gave her money to care for the poor and the sick and St. Paul encouraged her to continue her mission. She finally died at the age of 80.

St. Sergius was born near Rostov in Russia and was given the name of Bartholomew when he was baptized. He was not as bright as his two brothers, but he did learn to read and write. This made him really happy because he wanted so much to read the Bible.

Bartholomew’s parents were very rich but when he was still a boy, the family had to flee from enemies and lost all their wealth. They had to go to work as peasants.

After his parents died, Bartholomew and his brother Stephen went off to live as hermits. They built a little church from trees they had cut down. The church was dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity.

When his brother went to Moscow to enter a monastery, Bartholomew lived alone. He wore the habit of a monk and took the name Sergius.

He was a tall, husky young man. He was strong enough to stand the biting cold and fierce winds of his forest home. He was happy praying to God and loving him with all his heart. He called fire and light his companions, and even made friends with bears.

Soon, other young men came to share St. Sergius’s holy life and he started the Holy Trinity monastery for them. He was ordained a priest and ruled his monastery very wisely.

Once when some of the monks together with his own brother Stephen-who had come back - disagreed with Sergius about his strict rules, he went away to live as a hermit again so as to keep peace.

Four years later, he was asked to return. The monks were so happy to see him that they kissed his hands, his feet and even his robe. Powerful rulers often went to ask St. Sergius for advice.

He became so famous that he was asked to become bishop of the greatest Russian diocese in Moscow. But he was too humble to accept.

The prince of Moscow was not sure if he should try to fight the terrible pagan Tartars. St. Sergius said, “Do not fear, sir. Go forward with faith against the foe. God will be with you.” And the Russians were victorious.

It was not great learning that made people trust and love St. Sergius. It was his confidence in God and his desire to help everybody. St. Sergius died in 1392.