SAINT REBECCA (REFKA) AND HER FIVE CHILDREN, MARTYRS

(FOURTH CENTURY)

St. Refka, a mother and her five children: Agathon, Peter, John, Ammon, and the little girl Ammona were from Upper Egypt. When the Roman emperor Diocletian issued his Edict in 303 to destroy churches and kill the Christians wherever they are. St. Refka, a mother, made known to her children what she heard about the persecution. She tried to strengthen their faith, encouraged them, and incited them to bear any torture patiently, for the sake of the Lord. Refka gave examples of the many saints who suffered martyrdom bravely without hesitation, because of their love for Jesus Christ. Then the blessed family rose to pray. While they were praying, the Lord appeared to them in His Divine Grace, surrounded by angels. He comforted them, and promising the crowns of martyrdom. When they heard the Lord they were very courageous, and glad, counting themselves unworthy of the honor of martyrdom.

Agathon, the older son was a man of esteem, and was loved by every one in the city. The faithful family went to the council and confessed their faith. He tortured them severely, starting with the mother. She bore the torture patiently with joy, and then tortured the children one by one in front of the mother. When they refused to recant, he sent them to the governor ‘Armenius’ in Alexandria. Because of their toleration, many confessed their faith and declared Christianity, welcoming martyrdom. In Alexandria they were tortured again in many ways, from casting their bodies in boilers, to squeeze them in wheels, and then beheaded. When the executioner ordered to throw their bodies in the sea, a rich man commanded him to take them. He bribed the soldiers and picked the holy bodies. He laid them in the church. They remained there till the time of the persecution passed. Then their existence was revealed, and the bodies were transferred to the city of ‘Sonbat’, where there is a church bearing their names to this very day: “The five and their Mother” or “ El-Sitt Refka” (Rebecca).

INSPIRATIONAL EVENT:   The bodies of Saints (Rebecca) Refka, and her five children are not kept in the usual wooden tubes, but are preserved in the traditional coffins, and they can be seen by any visitor who seeks their blessings. Glory be to God forever.