Their story
Adapted in modern English from Baring-Gould (1914) · original text below · little is known
In the persecution of Diocletian (Diocletian was Roman emperor 284–305; the 'Great Persecution' of 303–311, when imperial edicts ordered churches and Scriptures destroyed and Christians forced to sacrifice to the Roman gods), Archelaa, a virgin dedicated to God, hid with two young women, Thecla and Susanna, in a house outside Nola in Campania. Leontius, Governor of Salerno, heard they were Christians and had them brought before him.
According to the account, Archelaa was exposed to lions and left unhurt, then had boiling oil and pitch poured on her. She prayed for relief, a sunbeam fell on her, and a voice promised her a crown in heaven. Leontius then had all three beheaded.
Early life
The book says little or nothing about early life. This is how the account begins.
Thin entry · the 1914 book gives only 185 words. We have not filled the gap with invented detail.
Archelaa, a virgin consecrated to God, during the persecution of Diocletian, took refuge with two maidens, Thecla and Susanna, in a private house outside the walls of Nola, in Campania, hoping to remain unnoticed till the storm was passed. But Leontius, Governor of Salerno, having heard that they were Christians, ordered them to be brought before him. Archelaa was exposed to lions, but was unhurt; then the inhuman judge ordered boiling oil and pitch to be poured over her naked body.
