Christian virgins living in Africa in the 3rd century, Tertulla and Antonia were arrested at Mugues during the persecution of Cirtha. Under the spiritual guidance of Bishop Agapius, they were imprisoned at Lambaesis before suffering martyrdom. Their feast is celebrated on December 16, in accordance with the Proper of Algiers.
Guided reading
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SAINT TERTULLA AND SAINT ANTONIA, VIRGINS (260).
Context of the persecution in Africa
The persecution against Christians raged with violence in Africa, particularly in Cirtha, affecting both free believers and exiles.
The persecution in which the virgins Tertulla and Ant onia suf Tertulle Virgin and martyr in Africa in the 3rd century. fere d raged Antonie Virgin and martyr in Africa in the 3rd century. in Africa and particularly in the colony of Cirtha (Constanti ne), with unheard-of Cirtha (Constantine) Roman colony in Numidia, site of the first phase of the trial and tortures. violence. The rage of the demon and the persecutors was not exercised only upon those who, having passed through the persecutions without being shaken, lived freely while continuing to serve God; but the hand of insatiable hell extended even to the exiles whom the fury of the president had already crowned martyrs, not by the shedding of their blood, but by the manifestation of the sentiments of their hearts.
Arrest of Agapius and his companions
Bishop Agapius and his colleague Secundinus are arrested at Mugues, where they had founded a community, and are then transferred to Cirtha to be imprisoned.
Among those brought to the judges' tribunal were Agapius, bishop, the gu Agapius Martyr bishop who appears in a vision to James to invite him to the heavenly banquet. ide and father in Jesus Christ to the virgins Tertulla and Antonia, and his colleague Secundinu s. The z Secondin Bishop and colleague of Agapius. eal of preaching had led them to Mugues; there they had founded a Christian community through their example and their teaching. They left behind in that place Mar ian an Marien Lector and martyr, son of Mary, known for his visions and courage under torture. d Ja mes, in Jacques Apostle who appeared miraculously during the Battle of Jerez. the disposition to soon follow in their footsteps to go to glory. "Suddenly," recounts one of the confessors, "a hostile troop and an irritated multitude threw themselves upon the house that sheltered us as if upon an asylum of the faith that one would wish to destroy. Then we were dragged from Mugues to the city of Cirtha. We were followed by those whom we loved and who loved us, by those who had been chosen to receive the palm of martyrdom, and whom the love of us, as well as the grace of Christ, drew toward the glorious crown." After they had been interrogated, their courage in confessing the name of Christ was rewarded with prison.
The prayer of Agapius for Tertulla and Antonia
Imprisoned at Lambaesis, Agapius prays that his spiritual daughters, Tertulla and Antonia, may receive the grace of martyrdom at the same time as he.
When they had undergone various interrogations and various tortures, the prison of Lambaesis, which they had already come to know, received them once again. Meanwhile, many Christians perished every day. Then Agapius, foreseeing that his turn would soon come, began to pray to the Lord for Tertulla and Ant Tertulle Virgin and martyr in Africa in the 3rd century. onia, whom he cherished as his daughters, that He might deign to grant them martyrdom at the same time as himself and that they might not be separated. He then received the answer from heaven that what he had asked for with such insistence had been granted to him from his very first prayer.
Cult and commemoration
The feast of these martyrs is set for December 16, according to the liturgical traditions specific to the diocese of Algiers.
It is on December 16 that the feast of these Martyrs is celeb rated Alger City associated with the liturgical source of the text. in Algiers.
Proper of Algiers.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.