St. Adamantine the Virgin- Martyr icon

Orthodox icon of Saint Adamantine the Virgin-Martyr.

Commemorated September 1st.

Saint Adamantine is one of the 40 Woman Martyrs of Thrace.The 40 Holy Virgins and Saint Ammoun the Deacon, were from Adrianopolis in Macedonia (Greece). Deacon Ammoun was their guide in Christian Faith. They were captured by Baudos the governor, and were tortured because they would not offer sacrifice to idols. The holy martyrs endured many cruel torments, which were intended to force them to renounce Christ and worship idols. Later, they were sent to Heraklea in Thrace to appear before the tyrant Licinius. The valiant martyrs remained unshakeable, however. St Ammoun and eight of the virgins were beheaded, ten virgins were burned, six of them died after heated metal balls were put into their mouths, six were stabbed with knives, and the rest were struck in the mouth and stabbed in the heart with swords.