On this day, June 13 according to the Julian Calendar (June 26 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyr Aquilina of Byblos, who suffered martyrdom in 293 AD.
The Holy Martyr Aquilina was born around 281 AD in the Phoenician city of Byblos (present-day Lebanon). From her earliest years she was filled with fervent love for Christ. As a young girl of about twelve years, she began zealously preaching the faith to her peers and converting her friends to Christianity.
One of her converts, a young man named Volusius, informed on her to the pagan authorities. She was brought before Volusian, the governor of Phoenicia, who ordered her to sacrifice to idols. When she refused with great courage, she was subjected to terrible tortures. Red-hot iron rods were driven through her head and into her brain. She was left for dead, but an angel appeared to her in the night and healed her wounds.
On the following day, Aquilina appeared miraculously before the governor, whole and unharmed. He was terrified but remained hardened in his hostility. He ordered her beheaded. Before her execution, Aquilina prayed and offered her soul to God, and was martyred for Christ at the age of twelve in 293 AD.
Her relics were preserved and venerated at Byblos. The Holy Martyr Aquilina is beloved in the Orthodox Church as a young virgin who showed the courage of a mature athlete of Christ.
May the intercessions of the Holy Martyr Aquilina of Byblos be with us all.