Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Early Church Martyr and Patron Saint of Rome

St. Martina of Rome


                                 
St. Martina of Rome
St. Martina of Rome

Feastday: January 30
Patron of Rome; nursing mothers
Died: 228

Virgin martyr of Rome. A basilica was erected in her honor at the Roman Forum. Her remains were discovered there in 1634. There is considerable doubt about her recorded sufferings. Her cult is now confined to her Roman basilica.
 
from Wikipedia
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.

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