On the Feast of St. Apollonia, Virgin and Martyr
From the Martyrology:
Apollonia was an aged virgin of Alexandria, who, in the reign of the Emperor Decius, was brought before the idols to worship them, but refused, declaring that Christ Jesus is Very God, and that to him worship is due.
The cruel executioners beat and pulled out all her teeth, and threatened to burn her alive if she would not deny Christ. To whom she answered, that for Christ Jesus' sake she was ready to die. Being taken to the place of execution she stood for a few moments as if in doubt, and then, the fire of the Holy Ghost burning up in her heart, she broke from those that held her, and leapt of her own accord into the flames. Her body was quickly consumed, and her soul departed pure to obtain the eternal crown of martyrdom.
The cruel executioners beat and pulled out all her teeth, and threatened to burn her alive if she would not deny Christ. To whom she answered, that for Christ Jesus' sake she was ready to die. Being taken to the place of execution she stood for a few moments as if in doubt, and then, the fire of the Holy Ghost burning up in her heart, she broke from those that held her, and leapt of her own accord into the flames. Her body was quickly consumed, and her soul departed pure to obtain the eternal crown of martyrdom.
The Oration:
O God, who among the manifold works of thine almighty power hast bestowed even upon the weakness of women strength to win the victory of martyrdom : grant, we beseech thee; that we, who on this day recall the heavenly birth of Saint Apollonia thy Virgin and Martyr, may so follow in her footsteps, that we may likewise attain unto thee.
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