Sultana Mahdokht

Sultana Mahdokht is a legendary princess, the daughter of a Persian King who converted to Christianity in its early days. Her name means "Princess Daughter of the Moon" when translated to English from Persian. Legend has it that she fled her father's kingdom along with her brother and some monks to avoid execution by the hands of his men for their apostacy from Zoroastrianism. They fled to Araden and hid in caves escaping the wrath of his assassins. She was a devout Christian and was canonized by the Churches of the East. There are annual feasts in honor of her that are common in the Chaldean/Assyrian Community. One of the oldest churches in Christianity is named in her honor. The Sultana Mahdokht Chaldean Catholic Church in Araden is a pilgrimage site for many Syriac Christians.