Flora and María met at the church of Saint Acisclus.[2][5] and decided to denounce Islam together.[2][5] They did so before a Qadi (Islamic judge) and were subsequently imprisoned.[1]
In jail, Flora was offered a full pardon if she “returned” to Islam, but she explained that the only beliefs she had ever held were Christian. This explanation was not accepted because according to Islamic law, a child born to even one Muslim parent should have adopted Islam as their religion.[2][5] Sabigotho used to visit Flora and María in jail and once spent a night in their cell “as if she herself were shackled, not only to console the two soldiers, but to confide in them her own intention to die”.[2][3]
In accordance with Shari’a law, Flora and María were found guilty of two different crimes: Flora was executed for apostasy, and María for blasphemy. Before the executions, the young women were threatened “with being thrown upon the streets as prostitutes”, which was an unbearable punishment for virgins. They were beheaded on 24 November 851.[1]
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