| Saint Martina | |
|---|---|
Virgin Mary with Saint Agnes and Saint Martina, El Greco. |
|
| Virgin and Martyr | |
| Died | 228 Rome |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | Santi Luca e Martina |
| Feast | January 30 |
| Attributes | palm of martyrdom |
| Patronage | Rome; nursing mothers |
Saint Martina was a Roman martyr under emperor Alexander Severus. She is a patron saint of Rome.
She was martyred in 226, according to some authorities, more probably in 228, under the pontificate of Pope Urban I, according to others. The daughter of an ex-consul and left an orphan at an early age, she so openly testified to her Christian faith that she could not escape the persecutions under Alexander Severus. Arrested and commanded to return to idolatry, she refused, whereupon she was subjected to various tortures and was finally beheaded.
The relics of St. Martina were discovered on October 25, 1634, in a crypt of an ancient church situated near the Mamertine Prison and dedicated to the saint. Pope Urban VIII, who occupied the Holy See at that time, had the church repaired and, it would seem, composed the hymns which are sung at the office of the noble martyr.
Her feast day is January 30.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.