Great Martyr Agatha Of Catania

Great Martyr Agatha came from a noble Christian family of Catania (or Palermo) in Sicily. She rejected the advances of the Roman governor (proconsul) Quintianus, for which she was confined to a brothel to break her resolve — but she remained unyielding.

Quintianus subjected her to cruel torture: stretching on the rack, tearing with iron claws, and finally the cutting off of her breasts. That same night the Apostle Peter appeared to her in prison and healed her wounds. Subjected to further torment, she died in prison on February 5, 251.

According to tradition, the bishop of Catania had covered her with a scarlet veil as a sign of her consecration as a bride of Christ; this veil miraculously remained unharmed in the flames of torture.

Exactly one year after her death, on February 5, 252, Mount Etna erupted; the townspeople, invoking her name and carrying her veil toward the lava, stopped its advance — this event is the origin of her veneration as a protector against fires and eruptions.

She was buried by Christians near the city; about 60 years later her relics were translated to the cathedral of Catania, where they still rest. She is venerated as patroness of Sicily and Malta.

Her feast is kept on February 5/18.