Zlata of Meglen was an 18th-century Eastern Orthodox saint born to a peasant family in the Meglen province. Born around 1750, she lived among Slavic speakers in what is now Greece. She is recognized as a great martyr for refusing to convert to Islam after being kidnapped by a local man. Despite intense physical suffering and pressure from both her captors and her own family, she remained steadfast in her faith until her death in October 1795.
Life and death
While gathering wood with other women, Zlata was abducted by a man who attempted to force her into marriage and conversion. For six months, she resisted his efforts, leading to threats against her relatives. She was subsequently imprisoned in darkness and subjected to daily physical torture. Ultimately, she was executed by being hung from a tree and dismembered. Her remains were gathered in secret by fellow Christians for burial.
Veneration
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church observes her feast day on October 18, while the Greek, Serbian, Macedonian, and Russian churches celebrate her on October 13. In Bulgaria, she serves as the patron saint for Bulgarians living abroad. She is frequently portrayed in iconography as a young woman dressed in traditional folk clothing. Several churches in locations such as Aridaia, Zagreb, and Werribee are dedicated to her memory.