In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Yesterday, the Armenian Church celebrated the feast of a young princess. Princess Santookht was the daughter of Armenia’s 1st century pagan king, King Sanadrook. This sweet princess converted to the Christian faith at a time when no one in her father’s kingdom would dare do such a thing. How this happened is a story that needs to be told.
After the Apostle Thaddeus left Jerusalem, he traveled to Edessa, a city our ancestors once called Urfa and he established Christianity there. From there, he traveled to Armenia and he lived in the Province of Ardaz near the palace of King Sanadrook and began to preach the gospel and heal the ill.
According to history, because of Thaddeus, so many people enthusiastically embraced Christianity that their influence was felt within the palace of the King. Princess Santookht was one of those influenced and she converted and became one of Thaddeus’ staunchest students. She was fascinated by the stories he shared about the life and teachings and miracles of Jesus of Nazareth and all about what He had said and done in and around the Holy Land of Jerusalem. He told her about Jesus’ miracles. He told her about the power of faith, hope and love and how placing our trust in God changes our lives for the better.
Through St. Thaddeus, the princess chose to give up her way of life to follow the Son of God. She chose to give up her pagan crown and title and instead follow the Christian faith into an eternal kingdom. Thaddeus encouraged the princess to redefine her life with the promises of the Christian faith.
The princess’ newfound faith caused her problems within her home and family and within her father’s kingdom. Her father, King Sanadrook, was furious with his daughter. She disobeyed him and probably caused him great embarrassment within his kingdom and so he reacted immediately and had her imprisoned to think over her decision.
It is not how we would expect a father to react but that was his reaction. As she went to prison, she went with St. Thaddeus’ words firmly planted in her heart—“to remain faithful.” She must have been quite an amazing young woman because it is also known that her faith inspired thirty-three of the prison guards to accept Christianity as their personal religion as well.
Eventually, the princess was brought before the King, who tried to convince his daughter that she should return to her old beliefs and disregard everything she heard about a man who could walk on water, rise from the dead and heal people of their illnesses. The King placed before her two items—her crown, the symbol of royalty and a privileged life and his sword, the symbol of her execution should she continue following Christ. It was her moment of truth. Even though Santookht knew it meant her martyrdom, she chose the sword remaining faithful to her Lord and was sentenced to death. At the time of her martyrdom, St. Santookht was eighteen years old. This teenager is known as the first Christian martyr of Armenia. Every year during the summer months, her memory is celebrated.
So, as we leave here today, let’s ask ourselves:
• As we enjoy the summer months, does our faith hold a constant place in our hearts and minds?
• In our weekly activities, do we devote any time focused on where we want to spend eternity?
Yesterday was the feast of a princess and in her moment of truth, she chose the Crown of Heaven. May her faith inspire us. Does our faith hold a constant place in our hearts and minds?
Something for us to think about.
Amen.
