St. Memelchtha of Persia

Commemorated on October 5

Before her conversion to Christianity, the Martyr Mamelchtha of Persia was a pagan priestess of the goddess Artemis.

The saint’s sister convinced her to accept baptism in Christ. When the pagans saw Mamelchtha in her white baptismal robe, they stoned her. The saint suffered a martyr’s death in the year 344.

Later, a church was dedicated to her on the site of the temple of Artemis.

By permission of the Orthodox Church in America (www.oca.org)