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 apostasy

Apostasy

Apostasy , 'a defection or revolt', from ἀπό, apo, 'away, apart', στάσις, stasis, 'stand, 'standing') is the formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of a religion by a person. One who commits apostasy is known as an apostate. These terms have a pejorative implication in everyday...

 from Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of prophet Zoroaster and was formerly among the world's largest religions. It was probably founded some time before the 6th century BCE in Greater Iran.In Zoroastrianism, the Creator Ahura Mazda is all good, and no evil...

. They fled to Araden and hid in caves escaping the wrath of his assassins. She was a devout Christian and was cannonized by the Church of the East. There are annual feasts in honor of her that are common in the Assyrian Community (Also known as Chaldean and Syriacs). One of the oldest churches in Christianity is named in her honor. The Sultana Mahdokht Assyrian Church in Araden

Araden

Araden is an Assyrian village in the northern Iraqi governorate of Dohuk. It is located 20-30 kilometers east of the city of Zakho and lies in a valley. The village of Inishk lies within viewing distance from it...

is a pilgrimage site for many Syriac Christians.