Arab invaders attacked a convent of nuns and captured a beautiful virgin, whom they offered as a gift to the commander of their troop.

When the commander saw her, he was dazzled by her beauty and sought to corrupt her. She then said to him:

"Wait a moment, for I have learned a skill passed down among virgins, and it can only be performed by a virgin, otherwise, it is of no use."

He asked her: "And what is this skill?"

She replied:

"It is an oil: if someone is anointed with it, no sword or weapon can harm them. You, who go often to war, would greatly benefit from it."

He said to her:

"And how can I be sure of that?"

So she took some oil and said to him:

"Anoint your neck with it and give me your sword so that I may strike you."

He replied:

"No! You shall anoint your own neck first, and I will strike with the sword."

She agreed gladly, anointed her neck with the oil, and said:

"Strike with all your strength!"

He drew his sword, which was very sharp, and she bent her neck. He struck with all his might, and her head rolled to the ground.

Thus, she chose to die by the sword rather than to defile her virginity.

The commander was deeply grieved and wept bitterly for having killed such a beautiful soul. He then realized that she had deliberately deceived him in order to escape defilement and sin…

This is Saint Febronia of Syria (Coptic)