Martina of Rome

Martina of Rome, a patron saint of Rome, was martyred in 226, according to some authorities, more probably in 228, under the pontificate of Pope Urban I, according to others. Her feast day is January 30.[1]

Saint Martina
Virgin Mary with Saint Agnes and Saint Martina, El Greco.
Virgin and martyr
Died228
Rome
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church
Major shrineSanti Luca e Martina
FeastJanuary 30
Attributespalm of martyrdom
PatronageRome; nursing mothers

Biography

The daughter of an ex-consul and orphaned at an early age, she was described as a noble and beautiful virgin. She so openly testified to her Christian faith that she could not escape the persecutions under Severus Alexander.[2] Arrested and commanded to return to idolatry, she refused, whereupon she was subjected to various tortures and was finally beheaded.[3]

These tortures according to her vita include being scourged. She was condemned to be devoured by wild beasts in the amphitheater but was miraculously untouched by them. She was then thrown onto a burning pyre, from which she also escaped unhurt, and was finally beheaded. Her hagiography asserts that some of her executioners also converted to Christianity and were themselves beheaded.[3]

Veneration

Ostia, at the mouth of the Tiber, was the scene of her martyrdom; but her body was transported to Rome,[4] where a church near the Mamertine Prison, Santi Luca e Martina, was later dedicated in her honour. [5]

On October 25, 1634, during restoration of the crypt, as was common at this time in Rome, buried remains were found by the painter Pietro da Cortona, president of the Accademia di San Luca, and were attributed to the martyred Saint Martina. No doubt it was hoped that this would precipitate an influx of funds to shelter the relics in a new church.[6] 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.[3]

Tomb of Saint Martina

References
  1. Martyrologium Romanum (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2001 ISBN 978-88-209-7210-3), p. 117
  2. Gueranger O.S.B., Prosper. The Liturgical Year, Marian House, 1983]
  3. Clugnet, Léon. "St. Martina." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 4 November 2021 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. Monks of Ramsgate. "Martina". Book of Saints 1921. CatholicSaints.Info. 25 November 2014 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. 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. doi:10.2307/3774822. JSTOR 3774822.
  6. Connors, Joseph (1998). "Pietro da Cortona 1597-1669". Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians. Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, Vol. 57, No. 3. 57 (3): 318–321. doi:10.2307/991350. JSTOR 991350.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "St. Martina". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

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