Avdokia was of Samaritan origin and settled in the city of Baalbek at the time of the Roman Emperor Traian (96-116 AD). She was not a Christian at first, but rather a pagan. While she enjoyed stunning beauty, she practiced debauchery and, as a result, accumulated significant wealth for herself.
Afdokiya behaved in this way for years until a Christian man passed through her life and changed the course of things for her. This man's name was Germanus. It was said that he stayed one day, in Baalbek, with a Christian woman whose house was located near the house of Afdoukieh. During the night, the man got up and recited, in a loud voice, his psalms as he was accustomed to, then he read a text in a book about the final judgment, the punishment of sinners, and the reward of the righteous. When his recitation reached Avdokiah’s ears, God opened her heart, so she woke up from her transgression and awakened her conscience, so she sank into deep sorrow for herself and shed generous tears throughout the night.
Avdokia was baptized by Theodotos, Bishop of Baalbek. She immediately handed her wealth over to a priest to distribute it to the needy. As for her, she followed the path of virgins, and surrendered herself completely to the Almighty God. It was reported that many miracles were performed with her hands.
It was not long after the conversion of the nation of God that news of her spread and reached the ears of some of those who knew her during her time of exile, and they were dismayed by her Christianity. A number of them went to the governors and told her that she had turned against the religion of her nation and that she was in the process of extending a helping hand, with the wealth she had been given, to the Christians conspiring against the empire and its gods. No harm befell the nation of God, despite everything, until the time of Adrian Caesar (117-138). Her concern was to preserve the trust for his Lord. She had no objection to giving herself as a martyr if Jesus wanted her to.
During the time of one of the rulers of Baalbek, called Mansur, he arrested her and his soldiers, without trial, cut off her head.
Troparia in the eighth tune
With you, the image was preserved with close care, Mother Evdokia. Because you carried the cross and followed Christ, and you worked and taught to ignore the body because it is passing away, and to care about the things of the immortal soul. Therefore, O righteous one, your soul rejoices with the angels.
