Saint Aquilina of Thessalonica lived in the village of Zagliveri.
Her father had become a Moslem under pressure from local Turks. However, her mother remained a faithful Christian throughout her life and raised her daughter to do the same.
When Aquilina was young woman of eighteen years of age, her father began to try to persuade her to become a Moslem, too. Once again, he was giving in to the demands of the Turks.
Aquilina stood up for her Lord Jesus Christ. She manfully rebuked the bullying of the Moslems and the pleadings of her father.
This pure Virgin was tortured and killed for Christ in 1764.
The ancient Latin name “Aquilina” means “eagle.”
We commemorate this Holy Virgin Martyr on September 27.
Holy Virgin Martyr, Aquilina, pray to God for us. Pray that we will manfully stand strong for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, even if it means going against the wishes of our earthly fathers. Amen.
