July 8 | Saints Aquila and Priscilla

Welcome, young history buffs and curious minds, to My Daily Saint, the podcast that digs deep into the incredible lives of the saints, those remarkable people who shaped history and continue to inspire us today. Forget dusty old portraits and boring stories. Today, imagine waking up one morning in the greatest, most powerful city in the world. Your business is thriving, your friends are right next door, and you have a life built together with your best friend. Then, suddenly, a soldier stands in the street and shouts that you have to leave.

You are being kicked out of your own home by the Emperor of Rome. Where do you go? How will you survive? This was real life for a Jewish married couple living in the first century. Their world was turned upside down in an instant, but little did they know, getting kicked out of Rome was about to set them on a collision course with destiny, and with one of the most famous figures in history. This is the story of Saints Aquila and Priscilla.

Normally, we talk about single saints who went off into the desert or bravely faced down armies, but today we're looking at a legendary team. Because of their incredible teamwork and dedication to each other, Aquila and Priscilla are actually the patron saints of marriage.

So, what happened after they were forced to flee Rome? Let's get into their story. After Emperor Claudius issued his decree expelling all Jews from Rome, Aquila and Priscilla had to start completely over. They traveled across the Mediterranean Sea and settled in a bustling Greek city called Corinth. Now, they were hard workers. Their vocation, or their job, was working as tentmakers. In the ancient world, this was tough, physical labor.

It meant cutting thick leather or heavy, rough canvas and sewing it together by hand to create shelters for travelers and soldiers. While they were working hard in Corinth to rebuild their lives, a stranger walked into town. He needed a job, he needed a place to stay, and as it turned out, he was also a tent maker. His name? Saint Paul. Yes, THE Saint Paul. Aquila and Priscilla took Paul in, and as they spent hours together cutting fabric and sewing tents, they talked.

Paul shared the incredible news of Jesus Christ with them. Touched by his words and his witness, Aquila and Priscilla converted to Christianity. But the story doesn't end with their conversion. When Paul decided it was time to move on and travel to Ephesus, Achilla and Priscilla packed up their tools and went right along with him. In Ephesus, they became an absolute powerhouse team for the early church. They weren't just sitting in the background. They actively helped Paul teach and preach the gospel to the people there.

During this time, there were no massive stone cathedrals or churches with stained glass windows. Being a Christian was risky. So, where did the early Christians go to pray and learn? They went to Aquila and Priscilla's living room. This brave couple turned their own home into a prominent house church, a secret, safe place for early believers to gather for worship and instruction. They risked their own safety to make sure others had a place to encounter God.

Eventually, the political climate changed. Emperor Claudius' ban ended, and the decree was lifted. Aquila and Priscilla made the brave decision to leave Ephesus and return to Rome, the very city that had kicked them out. While we don't know the exact details or the date of how they died, ancient tradition tells us that they were most likely martyred for their faith in Rome. They stood by each other, and they stood by Jesus. Until the very end. Look again at what they did in Ephesus.

They opened their doors. They made their home a safe, welcoming place for people to learn, grow, and belong. You might not have a house of your own to open up, but you do have a home base in your daily life. Maybe it's your lunch table, maybe it's your friend group, your group chat, or your spot on the bleachers.

Today, find someone who looks like they need a place to belong, someone who is sitting alone, or who feels left out, and invite them in. Make your space a welcoming sanctuary for them, just like Aquila and Priscilla did for the early Christians. Thank you for joining us on My Daily Saint. We look forward to sharing another incredible story of faith and courage with you tomorrow.