The Holy Martyr Ia
Commemorated September 11
The Holy Martyr Ia was arrested along with 9,000 Christians by the Persian emperor Sapor II, and they were all brought to the Persian city of Bisada. The chief of the Persian sorcerers demanded that the saint renounce Christ, but she remained unyielding and so she was tortured. Then St Ia was thrown into prison. She was beheaded after repeated tortures.
According to Tradition, the sun was darkened at the time of her martyrdom, and the air was filled with a sweet fragrance.
Troparion
Thy Lamb, O Jesus, Ia, is calling with a loud voice: Thee, O my Bridegroom, I love and, whilst Thee seeking, for Thee I endure martyrdom, I become crucified together with Thee and buried with Thee unto Thy baptism, and I suffer for Thy sake, so that I may reign in Thee, and I die for Thee that I may live with Thee; but as unblemished sacrifice do Thou receive me that in love sacrificed myself to Thee. At her intercessions, as the Merciful One, save our souls.
Kontakion
Having found thine all-revered temple to be the healer of souls, we all the faithful with a loud voice cry unto thee, O virgin-martyr Ia, the greatly renowned Christ the God entreat incessantly for us all.
Source: Crkveni Kalendar
