Martyr 4th century

Martyr Aquilina of Byblos

c. 281 – 293

Also known as Aquilina of Syria

A girl of Byblos in Phoenicia, scarcely twelve years old, who boldly confessed Christ and even won others to the faith, and after grievous torments received the martyr's crown under Diocletian.

Feast Day

June 13

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Commemorated as

The Holy Martyr Aquilina of Byblos

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Life

Aquilina of Byblos was a young confessor of the Phoenician city of Byblos who, while still a child, was put to death for her faith during the persecution of the emperor Diocletian. The tradition remembers her as scarcely twelve years old when she was brought to trial, and she is venerated as both a martyr and a child-saint.

Raised in Christian piety by her parents, she is remembered above all for the boldness with which she confessed Christ before a Roman governor and for having already drawn a pagan companion to the faith by her own example and teaching. Her relics were later translated to Constantinople, where she was honored in a church dedicated to her.

Timeline 3 moments Read Hide

c. 281 Birth in Byblos By tradition Aquilina was born about the year 281 in Byblos, a city of Phoenicia, and was raised in Christian piety by her parents. The Wikipedia account names her father Eutolmius and records that she received her catechism from Evthalios, Bishop of Byblos.
c. 293 Confession before Volusian At about twelve years of age she was accused before the imperial governor Volusian of teaching others not to follow the religion of their fathers. She firmly confessed her faith in Christ and refused to renounce Him, and was subjected to severe torture.
293 Martyrdom After her torments she gave up her spirit to God, and her body was beheaded although she had already died. The synaxarion places her repose in the year 293.

Contributions & Legacy

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Trial and Martyrdom

According to the synaxarion, one of the governor's servants accused Aquilina of teaching others not to follow the religion of their fathers. Brought before the imperial governor Volusian, the girl firmly confessed her faith in Christ and said that she would not renounce Him. Volusian first attempted persuasion and flattery, but seeing her steadfast confidence he ordered her to be tortured.

The account relates that she was struck upon the face, then stripped and beaten with whips, and that heated metal rods were drilled through her ears, after which she fell down as if dead. Believing her dead, the torturer ordered her body thrown outside the city. The tradition recounts that by night an angel appeared, roused her, and bade her arise and be healed and go to denounce Volusian. In the morning the governor sentenced her to death; she gave thanks to God as she was led out and gave up her spirit before the sword fell, and her head was struck off although she had already reposed.

Relics & Shrines

Christians piously buried the martyr's body, and her tomb became a place of pilgrimage. Her relics were later translated to Constantinople, where, according to the Wikipedia account, a basilica was built in her honor near the Forum of Constantine in the Philoxene quarter.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints