Tetha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Tetha |
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St Tetha's in St Teath
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| Princess of Brycheiniog Virgin |
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| Born | 5th century |
| Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
| Major shrine | St Teath |
| Feast | Various (lapsed) |
| Patronage | St Teath |
Tetha (Cornish: Tedha; Welsh: Tedda), also known as Teath, was a special woman from the 5th century. She was a virgin (meaning she dedicated her life to God and never married) and a saint. She lived in Wales and Cornwall. A church in Cornwall, called St Teath, is named after her. People used to celebrate her special day (called a feast day) on different dates, like October 27th or May 1st. However, this day is no longer celebrated by churches in Wales.
Who Was Saint Tetha?
Tetha is sometimes called Tecla or Etha. In early Latin writings, she was known as Tecla. This name is similar to Thecla, who was one of the first female martyrs (someone who died for their faith) in Christianity. Some people think the name Tecla might have been a mistake.
Other stories say Tetha was a princess named Tedda or Tethe. She was believed to be a daughter of Brychan, a king from a place in Wales called Brycheiniog.
Tetha's Life and Travels
According to Cornish stories, Tetha was one of the many children of King Brychan of Wales. This means she was a sister to many other saints in both Wales and Cornwall.
Tetha is also mentioned as a companion of another saint, Saint Breaca. They traveled together from Ireland to Cornwall around the year 460 AD. They went there to share the Christian faith. Unlike some of her friends, Tetha was not killed by a king named Tewdwr Mawr, who was against Christians.
Tetha's Legacy: The Church
A church named 'St Tecla' was first mentioned in St Teath as early as 1201. The church building you see today, called the Church of St Tetha, was mostly improved in the 15th century. It was built on top of an older church from the Norman times. This church is now a Grade I protected building, which means it's a very important historical site.
See also
- Saint Tegla, another Welsh saint sometimes confused with Tetha
- Thecla, the first female Christian martyr
