SAINTS ARCHELAIS, THECLA, AND SUSANNA – VIRGINS AND MARTYRS +293
The Christian maidens Archelais, Thecla, and Susanna, natives of Italy’s Romagna region, fled to the Italian city of Nola in the hope of escaping the persecution under the Roman Emperor Diocletian (284-305).
Having consecrated her virginity to God, Archelais devoted herself to prayer night and day and mortified herself with penances. Many are said to have been cured of their infirmities by her prayers.
Ultimately the three maidens were arrested by the pagans. When summoned before the proconsul Leontius, Archelais debated with the magistrate, defending her faith and refuting the idolatry of paganism. Leontius then ordered her to be exposed to lions, but the animals refused to harm her.
Afterward, Archelais invited the proconsul to embrace Christianity, telling him, “Believe what I say to you; believe in God the Father almighty, and in Jesus Christ his Son, who created you, and has illuminated the hidden places of darkness, and has manifested himself to all the nations.” In the end, Archelais and her fellow virgins Thecla and Susanna were beheaded in Salerno.
“Eternal light, shine in my heart;
eternal hope, lift up my eyes;
eternal pow’r, be my support;
eternal wisdom, make me wise.
Until by your most costly grace,
invited by your holy word,
at last I come before your face
to know you, my eternal God.”
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