The Martyrdom of Saint Febronia the Ascetic .

On this day, St . Febronia, the ascetic virgin, was martyred . This saint was the niece of thesuperior of a convent that had fifty virgins, in a place called "Ouryana" in Mesopotamia . Her auntbrought her up in the fear of God and taught her the reading of the Holy Books . St . Febroniavowed herself to the Lord Christ, and she fought the good fight by asceticism, fasting for twodays at a time, and unceasing in her prayers .When Emperor Diocletian issued his edict to worship idols, many Christians were martyred by hishands . When the virgins heard that, they were afraid and left the convent and went into hiding .None was left in the convent except St . Febronia, another sister and the abbess .On the following day, the envoys of the Emperor came, seized the abbess, and humiliated her . St .Febronia said to them, "Take me and set free this old woman ." But they took her as well, boundin ropes, and brought them to the Governor . At that time she was twenty years old, and wasattractive . The Governor asked her to worship the idols and promised her many things but sherefused . He ordered that she be beaten with rods, and her dress to be torn off . The abbess criedout to him saying, "May God rip you up, O wild beast, for you want to put to shame this youngorphan girl ." The Governor was wrathful, and ordered St . Febronia to be squeezed by the wheel,and to comb her body with an iron comb until her flesh was completely torn . During all that, sheprayed to the Lord asking for help . He then cut out her tongue and smashed her teeth so that shecould not pray . But the Lord strengthened her and comforted her .Finally, the Governor ordered her head cut off, and she received the crown of martyrdom . Arighteous man took her body and shrouded it with costly shrouds, and placed it in a golden box .May her prayers be with us . Amen .