The young eagle
Aqulina
The eagle has a special
importance among the birds. It is the king of birds. It’s very sharp eyes which
could identify its prey from a very great height, precise way of attack and
capturing its prey are unique features of this bird which makes it special
among birds. Hence in ancient times the Romans had eagle as their symbol. Even
today eagle is the royal emblem of America. One of the four living creatures
around the throne of God in heaven resembles an eagle as mentioned in
Revelations. Often God mentions in the bible that he carries his people just
like an eagle which carries its young ones.
Hence eagle has a special mention
in this world as well as in the scriptures. The saint about whom we are going to
read in this story is who was called as ‘young eagle’ in
Latin language. The birth place of this saint is Byblos which is a portal town.
Byblos is a small portal town situated in
Lebanon. This town has an ancient history which dates back to 7000 BC which
makes it as one of the most ancient cities in the world. According to history
the citizens of Lebanon are people of a different place who had got settled in
this town. During the Old Testament times the great tower of Babel was built.
Since it stood as a symbol of pride, God cursed the people and changed their
language and these people got scattered all over the world. Most of these
people belonged to the Semitones race and they got settled in the portal town
of Byblos. As time passed by, the people became civilized and their language
grew. This language was Greek. The basic Greek letters were Alpha and Beta…..
Omega and theta and these letters originated in the city of Byblos.
Since the Phoenicians showed great interest
in sea trade, they traded up to Karthige which is modern Tunisia from Egypt . And as imports they imported perfumes,
medicines, and papyrus. The portal cities like Tire and Sidon helped
Byblos to enhance their trade activities. Hence these cities acted as pivotal
points to enhance trade related activities. But Byblos town not once acted as a
pivotal point of trade activities, it was also a central place for art,
religion and other cultural activities. These Phoenicians of Byblos invented
paper from the grass called Papyrus. With the invention of paper, the formula
and method of paper making made spread around the world and thus made the city
of Byblos a city of great importance. Hence the need and demand for paper grew
rapidly and paper was being used for writing and recording. It is also said the
Bible was written in Greek from this city of Byblos and was distributed
throughout the world. Also it is said the Bible got its name from the city
Byblos. Saint Mark was the bishop of this Byblos city from 44 AD to 68 AD.
The citizens of Lebanon were called as
Phoenicians in ancient times. But there is no such town or city by name
Phoenicia. But the name Phoenicians had a permanent place in history. Among the
sea animals there are some variety of animals with a soft jelly like body
called as jelly fish or octopus which are well known for the way they exhibit
their colors. The colors are pale bluish which was called as Phonies. The
Phoenicians were experts in developing this color. This made them earn good
money and they became rich. Since this kind of color pigments were sold for
huge sum of money, only very rich people, kings and people of high rank were
able to buy and use them. Some information states that the ordinary people were
not allowed to use this kind of colored clothes. This was a main source of
money for the people of Lebanon.
Hence in those days the name of the
inhabitants of Lebanon was called as Phoenicians instead of Lebanonians. These
Phoenicians became stronger and started to have greater control over the
central coastal areas. But since the Roman Empire was well built and strong,
the Phoenicians could not exercise their control here. In the year 70 BC
Lebanon had to surrender to Rome since they were a huge and stronger race. With
the entry of the Romans the culture and civilization methods changed a lot and
they were forced to follow the Roman culture only. The people who had lost in
the battle are slaves to the people who have won the battle states law. In that
way the Phoenicians became the slaves of the Romans. In order to have proper
control over the Phoenicians and prevent them from rising up again against the
Romans, and turning back to their kings and gods whom they worshiped, the
Romans commanded the Phoenicians to worship the roman king and the roman gods
only. Anyone who disobeys this law was cruelly murdered.
33 AD, after the death of Jesus Christ,
his disciples acted according to his command, “Go into the entire world and
preach and publish openly the good news to every human race” went all over the
world spreading the good news about Jesus Christ. Through their preaching and
teachings many people accepted Jesus Christ and became Christians. In the year
34 AD, Apostle Peter who was the head of the apostles started a church in
Antioch which was situated in Southern Turkey. Since this city of Byblos was on
the between Jerusalem and Antioch, anyone who traveled between these cities,
had to pass through Byblos, whether it was through road or through sea. Hence
the city became an important place where religion flourished. There was almost
none of the apostle’s or men of god who did not touch this city of Byblos and
hence this city became a very important city. Very soon the city became flooded
with Christian inhabitants.
But the roman rules which governed the
rights of citizenship and religion made it very difficult for the spread on
Christianity in those cities. The reason was all those who accepted
Christianity against the Roman rule were severely punished and cruelly killed.
Since these people suffered and died as witness for Jesus Christ they were
called as martyrs.
In the year 280 AD King Diocletian was the
Roman Empire. He was a tyrant and the Christians suffered terribly during his
time. During this time, in the city of Byblos a small girl was born and brought
up whose name was Aqulina. She was born in the year 281 AD. Her father was
Eutolmius who was a Christian. She was very beautiful both physically and
spiritually. She was brought up as a well disciplined and faithful Christian
girl. She was very dear to Jesus Christ and loved him very dearly. She had
complete and strong faith and trust in Jesus Christ and hence this helped her
to live a holy life. She was well educated in the word of God and she had
unusual knowledge. Hence this made her to be liked by the preacher of that place. Hence he
taught the word of God himself to Aqulina. Aqulina shared this knowledge of the
word of God to all her friends and anyone who came to her with the thirst to
know the word. All her friends and their parents were surprised to see the deep
knowledge which Aqulina had in the word of God and her very appearance which
carried the presence of God. Many
parents sighted or quoted Aqulina as a role model for their children.
But Aqulina never cared for these praises.
She always felt that, “I walk according to the will of God, and I don’t have
anything to thing great about me.” This is the way she lived up to the age of
twelve. By this time she had guided and changed the lives of many of her
friends and helped them taste the love of Jesus Christ and helped them live a
good and true Christian life. She did a perfect soul winning job for God. In
those days when Christians were cruelly tortured and killed, this little girl
risked her life for the sake of Jesus Christ. Deep within her heart the pain
and compassion which she had towards to the young people of her age made her to
act quickly to make them understand the love of Christ and turn them towards
Jesus and thus prevent them from falling into eternal fire, Hell. She strongly
believed that Jesus Christ had chosen her for this holy mission.
This faith made her act so fast not bothered
about the consequences. All that she had in mind was saving youngsters from the
hands of satan and giving them in the hands of God. Her inbuilt desire for preaching
and good knowledge of the word of God guided her in spreading the gospel. This
word of God helped her and motivated her to live and die for Christ.
In this situation, one day Aqulina turned
the heart of a young boy towards Jesus Christ. This boy was a relative of the
governor of that city by name Olsyian. This change of the boy was a great shock
to his parents. Hence in order to escape from the anger of the emperor, they
silently disclosed the activities of soul winning of Acqvilina to the governor.
The very next day Acqvilina was arrested.
The
trial began.
Governor Olsyian, “oh my dear daughter
Aqulina, such a small little girl you are….. I can’t believe that you had
converted a person to Christianity…. How was it possible for you dear….. Many
children of your age won’t even know what religion itself…..is I am surprised
to see you and the charge against you…. Who taught you to do so… who gave you
this much of guts to do so….”
Little girl Aqulina replied, “My Lord, the
responsibility within me made me to do so… no one taught me… the love and
affection which I have for Jesus Christ guided me from within my heart and thus
I was able to introduce him to the world. He guides me from within and I act
according to his guidance. I speak what he tells me and the person to whom he
asks me to speak. I never do anything on my own. The ever living God who lives
within me speaks through me since it is not I who lives but my Lord Jesus
Christ who lives in me speaks……”
This reply of Aqulina left the governor
speechless. He was greatly surprised to see that even great men and tough
people stand dumb before the governor in fear and tension of what will be asked
of them and what will happen to them. But this little girl had so much of guts
and clearly stated her answer in front of all gathered there and specially
before the governor. He could not believe the way she spoke, clearly and
patiently and precisely. He was greatly surprised about her knowledge. Looking
at her innocent face
Governor said, “Since I am in your father’s
age, it makes me have great compassion on you. Just leave all that happened in
the past. I am ready to forgive you. But there is something called as the law
and you and I are bound by it. So bow down before our king and the roman gods
and worship them. For this is the only way you could save your life….. Go ahead
and do it little child…”
Aqulina replied, “My Lord, I respect our
king and I will show my due respect to him. But I can never accept him as a
god, nor will I accept any of the roman gods or any other gods as my gods. For
I know that Jesus Christ is the only true god. I will never worship or offer
sacrifices to any other gods other than the ever living God Jesus Christ. I was
born as a Christian, I lived as a Christian and I will die as a Christian for
the love of Jesus Christ.” This answer aroused the anger of the governor.
The governor said, “look little girl, I
think you are not aware of what you are speaking. Do not insult our gods or our
great king. You will have to face very severe consequences and punishment.
Think before you speak. Taking into consideration your innocence and your age, I give you one more
chance. Think and speak…. Go ahead and worship our king and our roman gods so
that you can save your life. If you want I will give you few days time for you
to think and convey your reply. Up to that time you may remain in prison.” But
Acqvilina gave an immediate reply.
Aqulina said, “My Lord, you are actually
wasting your time. Time and days will not change my decision. Jesus is within
me….. He has given his greatest command that I am the lord your god and you
shall have no other gods…serve the lord your god with all your heart, your
entire mind and all your soul and with all your strength. He is God Almighty. I
will never go against his command. All your gods are created by my almighty
god. They are just the works of his hands. I will worship the creator and not
the creation. The creation has no power on its own….. Hence I will never commit
the sin of worshiping those false gods and there by displeasing my God. I am
ready to accept your punishment. Go ahead and do what you would do to a
Christian. I don’t need your sympathy. I am ready and happy to die as a witness
to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Nothing can change my decision.”
Governor Olysian replied, “Oh I see….. I did
a great mistake of considering you as a small innocent girl…. No one would ever
dare to speak in my presence or even look up at my face…. But you have not only
spoke against my words but have insulted me in front of all these people. Hence
the punishment that I will give you will be a lesson for all those who dare to
stand against me….. You have insulted our king and all our roman gods…. I will
give you the right punishment my girl….. Alright…. Take this girl and disfigure
her face… peel off her skin…. Pierce her ears with hot iron rods… torment her
till she surrenders to us…. Don’t have any mercy for her… go ahead
immediately…”
Aqulina said, “Respected Governor….. I
actually thank you for this punishment you have given me. You have actually
given me a chance to take part in the suffering of Christ. Yes now I have a
chance to prove my love for my Master. I am never scared of this. For, he who
is in me is greater than who is in the world and that includes you too.
Whatever sufferings you may impose on me, my Lord god will give me the grace to
go through it and endure it patiently just like how he did. But never expect me
to surrender to your will at any cost. Death is my victory for my God is all powerful
to give me new life. I give all the glory to my Lord Jesus Christ.”
Immediately all arrangements for executing
the punishment was done. The arena which was near the coast was overflowing
with the spectators. Aqulina was tied to a tall wooden post in the centre of
the ground. Then she was stripped of her garments and was made to stand naked
before all present there. One soldier constantly punched on her face while
two other soldiers whipped her front and back so harshly that her flesh went
flying in the air. That blood which gushed out of her wounds covered the face
of those who tormented her. This incident reminds us of the way Jesus Christ
was scourged at the pillar. Since the soldier constantly punched Aqulina’s
face, her face was completely disfigured.
At this stage one of the men who were
executing the punishment stopped and said, “You little girl, how dare you go
and speak against the governor…. What did you say? Your Jesus Christ speaks
from with you.... oh what a pity…. Call him now, let us all listen to what your
Jesus speak…. Ha ha ha ha ha…. Oh don’t hesitate for you have very little time
and after that you won’t be able to speak for ever…. Go on and call him and ask
him to come and save you from our hands…..”But to everyone’s surprise Acqvilina
spoke in that condition also.
Aqulina said, “You who are of little
faith…. You blind men….. You can’t see him standing here….. but I can see him…
he is standing here right in front of me giving me strength to undergo all
these sufferings. With his strength I will endure any amount of torture…..”
These words of Aqulina irritated the
soldier and he brought two hot iron rods and said, “Little girl…. You gave an
excellent speech and now it is time for action dear…..you said that you can
endure even severe punishment isn’t it….. Now let us try this one….” So saying
he pierced those iron rods into her ears and turned them with all his strength.
The heat of the iron rods was so high that smoke and blood gushed out of her ears
and nose….. Her brain melted due to the heat and oozed out of the pores in her
forehead as water. Aqulina fainted and fell to the ground. The local physician
came and confirmed that Aqulina had died. All the spectators left the arena
with heavy heart feeling sorry for their inability to do anything against this
treacherous act. Aqulina died as a martyr on 13th June, 293 AD
The Governor who could not
bear the defeat that he was not able to make Aqulina surrender to him,
commanded stating, “Take this lifeless body and throw it out of the city. Do
not burry her. Let the dogs, birds of the sky and wild animals feed on it. This
is my command and no one is to disobey.” So saying, he went to his house. In
the same way Aqulina’s body was thrown out of the city boundary. That night an
angel came and woke up and said, “Aqulina wake up. You have done the best thing
which was very much pleasing in the sight of the Lord. Jesus Christ is very
happy and pleased in your witness and death. But you can still continue your mission.
Go and meet the governor. When you meet him the power of the Lord will be
manifested…. The thoughts of the governor will never be fulfilled.”
Immediately Aqulina arose and went into the
city. The city gates opened and the governor’s palace gates opened up giving
way for her to pass through. Aqulina entered the governor’s bedroom and woke
him. When the governor saw her he shouted out, “oh no no ….. a spirit…. Evil
spirit…..” Aqulina said, “Do not shout…. It is all over… you have lost the
battle…. I have won…. See my Lord has given me new life…. I am standing right
before you alive…..”
Olysian could not believe that she has come
back alive…. Still he gathered all his courage and called out…. “Guards! Arrest
her and put her in prison… I will be head her tomorrow morning”. Immediately
the soldiers came and arrested Aqulina and put her in prison. A historical
record states that the next day early morning she was beheaded and killed. Some
other historical records state that before dawn Jesus Christ had taken away her
spirit to heaven. In order to escape the king’s punishment the soldier who
guarded her in prison, cut off her head and said that the punishment was
executed. Any way Aqulina died as a martyr and was buried out of the city.
Many years later a memorial was built
in the place where she was buried and also in the place near the prison where
she was beheaded. At present the prison where she was kept has been converted
into a church and the place where she was beheaded has been modified as small
tomb. At present this church and the monastery is taken care of by the Maroni
priests of Lebanon. According to the wish of the people, the Roman Catholic
Church declared that Aqulina as a saint and honored her. She is the patron
saint of children who are in the mother’s womb up to the children who are yet
to enter their teen age. This is well proved by one of the miracles which are
associated to Acqvilina and small children.
Once, a couple by name George and Georgit
had come to live in the city of Byblos. Georgit was 8 months pregnant and her
husband had gone to a place near Baca which was 50 kms from their residence.
Suddenly Georgit suffered from labor pain and with the help of the women near
her house she was admitted in the hospital. The doctor who examined her said
that the baby in her womb will be delivered as a premature baby. Georgit was
quiet upset on hearing this and she called for her husband. By that time five
hours had passed and she became very weak. She looked up to mother Mary and
prayed to her stating, “Dear Lady of hope, I look up to you for help. I don’t
want my child to be a premature baby. I want it to be in my womb up to the
fulfillment of time. You have to take care of my child and me. If there is a
chance of loss of life of my baby, then take my life also.”
So saying she fell asleep and she had a
dream. In that dream she saw her bedroom and the picture of a twelve year old
girl come alive. That picture was left there in her house by someone who had
stayed there before. That girl in the picture spoke to her and said, “dear lady
your prayer has been answered by Jesus Christ and he sent me to you. I am the
patron saint of all the children who are of age group from the womb up to
twelve years. I belong to this Byblos city and I stay near to your place. If
you seek me you will find me. Now tell me what do you need?”
Georgit replied, “little child are you a
heavenly being…. An angel…. The light rays which are passing from you are
similar to those rays which surround Jesus Christ. I want to bear my child up
to the completion of time and have a safe delivery. I don’t have anyone in this
place that could help me. This is my wish.”
Aqulina replied, “Do not worry dear 
lady.
You will have a safe delivery at the fulfillment of time. Do not feel that you
are alone in this place. I will be there with you always.” So saying, she
disappeared. That very moment Georgit felt that she was completely
healed. Georgit returned home and she picked up the picture of Aqulina
which was in her bed room. She enquired about the person in the picture among
her neighbors. One lady took her to the grave of Aqulina which was situated in
the next street where Georgit was staying. Georgit went inside the church and
knelt down before the picture of Saint Acqvilina and thanked her. She had a
safe delivery and the baby was baptized in that church. The baby was named as
Aqulina.
The life history of Saint Aqulina who lived
in the third century AD, and suffered and died as a witness to Jesus Christ was
written by Saint Joseph and this history is still being preserved by the Maroni
priests of Lebanon. This saint was almost forgotten by the people of the world
for about 17 centuries time and now her name and fame has resumed its
importance. Her feast is being celebrated by the people of Lebanon. There is a
good reason for this…. Since satan knows that he has very little time left in
this world, he is on the keen look out to gather souls to hell to be with him
in eternal suffering. He (satan), along with his demonic spirits, attack people
of all age groups, right from small children up to elders.
Hence our almighty God also sends his
angels, holy men and woman back to this world to protect his people…. All those
who call to him for help and protection….. he sends the saints who have died as
martyrs to safeguard his people from the hands of satan. Hence all those saints
who have been forgotten in the course of time will be brought back to
remembrance and reverence in these last days.
The people of Lebanon have named a very
important and busy business route, near the church where Aqulina’s head was cut
off, as Acqvilina’s street. Every year June 13th is celebrated
as a feast day of Saint Aqulina for she died on that day. It is a grand
festival and many children and youngsters pray to her for their protection and
seek her to help them to lead a holy life pleasing in the eyes of God. This is
a country where terrorism is at its heights. There is not a single day which
passes by without the sound of bomb blast. But their patron saint protects them
from all the dangers.
As it is
rightly said in Isaiah 40:31 “But those that wait upon the Lord shall renew
their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and
not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” ………… Our little young eagle, Aqulina too was indeed an
eagle as stated in this verse……..
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