"Electa" is the name adopted to represent the devout mother referred to in the Second Epistle of John and to whom that Epistle is addressed. She was a lady of high renown in the Land of Judea. "Electa" with her husband and all her household professed before the world firm faith in the teachings of Jesus. The legendary story of her life as portrayed in the Order of the Eastern Star, exemplifies hospitality, devotion to charity, fortitude under religious persecution and martyrdom in defense of her faith.

The emperor of Rome issued an edict requiring the followers of Jesus to renounce their faith under penalty of death. "Electa" was visited by a band of Roman soldiers whose chief officer proposed the test of casting the cross upon the ground and putting the foot upon it, whereupon he would report her recantation and she would be saved from a painful death. Clasping the cross to her breast, she refused to submit to the test and with her family was cast into a dungeon and kept there one year. Then a Roman judge who was desirous of befriending her, offered her another opportunity to renounce her faith, promising that if she would do so, she would be protected. Again she refused and, with her family and thousands of others, "Electa" was put to death. Before expiring she prayed; "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" thus exemplifying the injunction, "Love one another."