Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Christian convert, martyr, a patron Saint of nurses

St. Margaret of Antioch


Image of St. Margaret of Antioch

Facts

Feastday: July 20
Patron of childbirth, pregnant women, dying people, kidney disease, peasants, exiles, falsely accused people; Lowestoft, England; Queens' College, Cambridge; nurses; Sannat and Bormla, Malta
Death: 304


Martyr of Antioch in Pisidia, sometimes called Marina. She is traditionally believed to be the daughter of a pagan priest who became a Christian. Beautiful, Margaret refused proposals from Olybrius, the local prefect, who imprisoned her and tortured her cruelly. Margaret was eventually beheaded, after being swallowed by a dragon and enduring several other legendary adventures. Margaret is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, and she spoke to St. Joan of Arc. This cult was suppressed.

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