Martyr
Martyr Ennatha of Gaza
† 308–309
Martyr Ennatha of Gaza — arrested during a Scripture reading in the persecution of Emperor Maximinus II, torn with iron claws and put to death together with Martyr Valentina and Martyr Paul/Paula, as recorded in detail by Eusebius of Caesarea.
Saint Ennatha came from the city of Gaza in southern Palestine and, during the persecution under Emperor Maximinus II Daza (the region's governor being Firmilian), was arrested along with other Christians who had gathered for a reading of Scripture.
Brought before the tribunal, she fearlessly declared herself a Christian, for which she was severely beaten and then bound to a post, where her flesh was torn with iron claws. When Saint Valentina, a native of Caesarea Palestina, witnessed this torment and protested, she was subjected to the same punishment, and Saint Paul/Paula of the vicinity of Caesarea likewise met the same fate.
By the governor's sentence, Ennatha and Valentina were put to death by burning (some accounts say by the sword), while Paul was beheaded. Their sufferings are recorded in detail by Eusebius of Caesarea in his account "On the Martyrs of Palestine."
Their feast is kept on February 10/23.