The Martyr Thessalonica was the daughter of the pagan priest Cleon, but she converted to the Christian faith. Her father tried in vain to bring her back to paganism. When he failed, he had Thessalonica scourged with ox sinews, her ribs broken with sticks, and, after disinheriting her, drove her from the house.
Two men, Aukt and Taurion, tried to stand up for Thessalonica and reason with her father, who had become hardened in heart. He denounced them to the governor Toribius. By Toribius’ order, they were beaten with sticks and stones and thrown into a furnace, which was miraculously extinguished by rain. Then arrows were shot at them, their bodies were torn with iron instruments, and finally they were cast into the bay. When the saints survived these torments, Toribius ordered them to be beheaded.
Thessalonica also endured torture and died for her confession of Christ. Her body was honorably laid in Amphipolis together with the martyrs Aukt and Taurion.
