St. Aquilina of Byblos/Jbeil -13 June

In modern times, we have been blessed that many Maronite Saints from Lebanon have been canonised.

However, dating back to the earliest Christian times, Saints have come from those blessed lands.

Byblos (also known as Jbeil) was a very important Phoenician Port and was where St Aqulina was from. She lived in the third century and at that time Christians in the the Phoenician City were undergoing great persecution under the Emperor Diocletian. She was raised in a Christian family. At twelve years old, she encouraged a pagan friend to embrace Christianity. The authorities found out and she was taken before the governor Volusian where she was asked to reject her faith. She refused to renounce her faith, despite great attempts to persuade her. She was tortured and asked, “Where then is your God? Let Him come and take you out of our hands.” But she answered, “The Lord is here with me invisibly, and the more I suffer, the more strength and endurance will He give me.”

She was tortured to the point that her torturers thought she was dead and her body was thrown outside of the city to be eaten by dogs. However, during the night, a holy angel appeared to her and said, “Arise and be healed. Go and denounce Volusian, so that he and his plans may come to nothing.”

She went back to the Govenor, however he was still was not persuaded and believed her to be a sorceress and sentenced her to death. 

While being led to her death, she prayed and gave thanks to God for allowing her to suffer for His Holy Name. A voice summonsed her to the heavenly Kingdom. Before the executioner could carry out the sentence, the martyr gave up her spirit to God. Still, the executioner cut off her head although she was already dead.

Christians piously buried the martyr’s body 

Later, her relics were taken to Constantinople and placed in a church named in her honour.

Let us never forget the great sacrifices of our ancestors who bore witness to the Christian faith. Let us be inspired by the young 12 year old St Aquilina and always carry our faith wherever we go. Amen