Saint Perpetua came from a noble family and lived in Carthage. She secretly accepted holy baptism and, despite her father's tearful pleas, remained steadfast in her faith. Widowed at the age of twenty-two, she cared for her infant child. Her brother Saturus, the servant Felicitas, and the youths Revocatus, Saturninus, and Secundus were also preparing for baptism. All of them were imprisoned by pagan judges. Her father tried to shake her faith, but her love for Christ was stronger.
Before her sufferings, Saint Perpetua had a vision of a golden ladder leading to heaven, with sharp objects on the sides and a terrible serpent at the base. Saturus ascended the ladder first, warning her about the serpent. Perpetua, unafraid, stepped on the serpent's head and saw the heavenly dwellings. This vision strengthened all the martyrs in their resolve.
After much suffering, the saints were sentenced to death. The youths were thrown to be torn apart by beasts, while Perpetua and Felicitas were attacked by a cow. The beasts did not harm them, and they were beheaded with swords. When Saint Perpetua was executed, she herself brought the sword to her neck and bravely died for Christ.
On the same day, we commemorate the holy father Peter of Galatia, who reposed around the year 429. He is also commemorated on February 22 and November 25 under the name Peter the Stylite and the Silent.
