Baring-Gould’s sources: Roman Martyrology and Greek Menasa. Authority The authentic Greek Acts.] In the terrible persecution of the Christians that raged in Persia under King Sapor, there was a holy Greek woman, a captive, who exerted herself to gain converts to Christ The Persian women listened to her words, and the flame of faith was kindled in their dark hearts. The efforts and success of la attracted the attention of some of the magi, and she was denounced to the king, who ordered her execution. She was stripped, four men took hold of her hands and feet, and dragged them apart, whilst another beat her back till it was raw. But she, in her anguish, prayed and sang to God, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, strengthen thy handmaiden in the conflict in which she is engaged, and save me from the wolves who rend my flesh.” When she could no longer speak, she was cast into, prison, and left there for two months, till she was restored to health. She was then brought out again, and, as She refused to renounce Christ, she was ordered to fresh torments. She was pulled forth as before, and beaten with forty apple rods full of knots, so that her flesh was mangled, and the blood streamed on the ground. She was then taken back to prison, and left there for six months. When cured she was brought forth again, but still the invincible woman remained firm. Sharp slips of reed were then stuck into her flesh all over her body, and she was wound round with cord, driving them into the flesh. After that, each was leisurely plucked out, followed by a spout of blood. By this time, however, she was completely unconscious, and lay on the ground like a corpse.

With inhuman cruelty she was given respite for ten days, and then brought out again, hung up, and beaten with wire S. Molua.

thongs till all the flesh was lashed off her bones, when, being dead, her head was cut off, and the heap of flesh and bones was swept ignominiously away.

Shortly before the martyrdom of S. Ia, the aged bishop Heliodorus died in prison, but not till he had consecrated the priest Dosa to be bishop in his room. Dosa was taken and executed with the sword. Many others suffered at the same time. A church was built to S. Ia at Constantinople, probably as soon as the news of her martyrdom reached the imperial city. In the reign of Justinian [Byzantine emperor 527–565] it was in ruins from age, and he rebuilt it.