Takla, the first among the female martyrs
Dr. Michel E. Abs
Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches
With the same pride and glory of the Incarnate Master standing before her executioners, Takla, the first among the female martyrs, stood in front of the governor who asked her about her identity and why the beasts retreated before her meekness and faith. Her response was a testament to her belief in the Master of the way, the truth, and life, who had saved her.
Enchanted by Paul’s words, Takla, who was preparing for marriage, quickly grasped his message. She chose to follow him, leaving behind wealth, luxury, and safety. Takla chose the difficult path and had the honor of being the first female martyr in Christianity, a faith for which millions have suffered. Our ancestors have passed this faith down to us, carried with their blood and tears.
When Takla made the difficult decision to forsake marriage for life with the Incarnate Master, she knew that a period of pain was imminent. Physical and moral pain assailed her from all sides until she was brought to the fire. Yet, neither beatings, nor starvation, nor death threats could dissuade her from her choice, the choice of love.
The fire, fueled by the vindictiveness of pagan hatred, did not harm her. She emerged from her “first martyrdom” unscathed and healthy, leaving her haters to be consumed by the fire of their own anger.
Forsaking the abundance and well-being of her previous life, she accompanied the Apostle Paul to the great city of God, Antioch, where she endured new suffering.
In Antioch, Takla experienced her “second martyrdom”. She was thrown to the beasts by those who fought against the new faith. Yet, just like the raging fire, the fierce beasts could not harm her. They retreated, disappointed, for as she told the governor, she was “the servant of the living God.”
After a period of spreading the word of the Lord, Takla traveled to Qualamoun, in Syria. She settled in a cave in Maaloula, where she lived until the age of ninety, healing the sick and guiding people to the religion of love and redemption.
However, evil people, stirred by Satan, raided her refuge. Fleeing from them, she sought refuge in a rock, praying until she joined her savior in her ninetieth year of the era of the incarnate Master. She is considered the first female martyr in Christianity.
Much has been said about Saint Takla, and even more has been written. Patriarchs, researchers, and believers have mentioned her in an attempt to honor her sacrifices, her struggle of faith, the strength of her belief, and the firmness of her determination.
The Troparion of Saint Takla, in the third melody, describes her as the glorious Takla and refers to her as Paul’s divine companion. It expresses that “when she was inflamed by the love of her Creator from the teachings of the divine preacher, she scorned the ephemeral floors, and offered herself to God as an acceptable holy victim, not afraid of torments.”
The Troparion in the second melody describes her as the first of the female martyrs, who “stepped on the flames as if you were in a fresh meadow” and that the beasts feared her as she was armed with the cross.
The Troparion in the fourth melody addresses the Master, saying to Him, “Your sheep, Jesus, cry out to you in a loud voice, saying: My Lord, I miss you and strive to seek you, I will be crucified and buried with you by your baptism, I will suffer for you until I reign with you, and I die for you so that I may live in you. But as a sacrifice without blemish, you accept that which, with longing, has been sacrificed to you. By her intercession, since you are merciful, save our souls.”
Saint Takla’s Novena considers her the first female martyr of divine love, calling her “a pure bride of the Divine Redeemer, a partner of the Apostles in the proclamation of the word of life and salvation” and “the title of faithfulness and the example of sacrifice, the beloved of the crucified.”
The Novena addresses the martyr Takla, saying: “You have walked the path of torment, with your eyes fixed on the sufferer. You have offered yourself as an example of redemption and love, echoing Saint Paul’s words: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.’”
The Novena continues, “I have come to understand that victory is through the love of Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and the Bearer of His cross. Due to your patience in adversity, your faith in Him, and your reliance on Him, the Lord has allowed you to transcend time and space. His resurrection has overshadowed you, and from His hand, you have received the crown of glory and life.”
The prayer to Saint Takla refers to her as “the lily of purity and the symbol of Christian courage”. It addresses her as the first of all female martyrs, just as Stephen was the first of the male martyrs. God has distinguished you with an abundance of brilliant verses, turning the hearts of believers towards you. Churches and temples in throughout the world have honored you, and you have become their refuge in adversity and disease. Your name is on every tongue, and all who seek refuge in you bless you.
This is one of the most beautiful expressions in the history of Christian faith and martyrdom. The intense emotion exuded by these texts is a testament to the profound influence of the first martyrs on the belief of Christians and the strength of their faith. The martyrs are the first victories.
The monastery of Saint Takla in Maaloula, in Qualamoun al-Sham - Syria, where she rests, stands as a testament to time and to a struggle that took on a legendary character because those who carried it out transcended their humanity and reached the point of holiness.
Maaloula still speaks the language of the Incarnate Master, Aramaic, whose kingdom knows no end. People in our country, regardless of their religious affiliations, continue to visit the monastery, inspired by Takla, the holy martyr, and ask for her intercession.
Takla unites us in love!