Martina of Rome
| 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 |
Martina of Rome 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 orphaned 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 Martina were discovered on October 25, 1634 by the painter Pietro da Cortona, in a crypt of Santi Luca e Martina, situated near the Mamertine Prison and dedicated to the saint.[1] 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 her office.
Her feast day is January 30 in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite.
References
- ↑ Merz, Jörg Martin (2003). ""Saint Martina Refuses to Adore the Idols:" Pietro da Cortona's Painting at Princeton in Context". Record of the Art Museum, Princeton University (Princeton University Art Museum) 62: 84–104. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
External links
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.