E05571: The Miracles of Saint Thekla recounts how *Thekla (follower of the Apostle Paul, S00092) protected and guarded a certain soldier Ambrosios against brigands during his travel on a road between Cilicia and Cappadocia. Written in Greek at Seleucia ad Calycadnum (southern Asia Minor) in the 470s.

Miracles of Saint Thekla, 16

Summary:

A certain Ambrosios, who was a soldier of the imperial capital, often travelled across the world on horseback on urgent matters, now to make a report to the emperor, now to communicate an imperial order to his subjects, now to transport something of importance or value. Once, he had to transport a great deal of gold and needed to take the road that stretched out across Cilicia and Cappadocia. This road was very dangerous, since it was frequented by numerous brigands who set ambushes to rob passers-by of their possessions. The robbers did not hesitate to slit the travellers' throats or to ransom them back to their relatives. Thus, when Ambrosios was setting off on this road, he prayed to the martyr Thekla for help and he obtained a miracle. For, at the most terrifying portion of the route, he saw a body of soldiers, both infantry and cavalry, following and accompanying him as both guard and escort. This apparition was the work of the martyr, and appeared to both Ambrosios and his enemies, to the relief of the former and to the fear of the latter. So Ambrosios, when he safely arrived at the imperial palace, announced the miracle in a loud voice, and praised the martyr and honoured her as his defender, ally, and protector.

Text: Dagron 1978. Summary: J. Doroszewska.