Martyr Aquilina of Byblos in Syria

Aquilina was born to a Christian family in Byblos in Phoenicia. Her father died when she was a baby, and her mother raised her in the faith. At about twelve, under Diocletian, she urged girls of her age to give up the idols, and was brought before the governor Volusian.

When neither kindness nor threats moved her, she was beaten and, according to her Life, red-hot rods were driven through her ears. Sentenced to be beheaded, she died in prayer, the Life says, before the executioner struck. Christians buried her in Byblos. Her death is dated 293.