The holy Virgin Martyr Martha of Astorga
In the persecution of the Emperor Decius, the proconsul Paternus was commanded to persecute the Christians and compel them to worship the heathen gods of the Roman Empire. His notice drawn by the beauty of the maiden Martha, he charged her to worship the pagan gods of Rome and promised her great rewards. Infuriated by her bold refusal, he had her racked and beaten with knotted sticks, then sent to prison. Questioning her again, he told her he would wed her to his son if she would only worship as commanded. Upon hearing from her that Jesus Christ was her Bridegroom, and sent into greater rage, Paternus had her beheaded and commanded that her body be cast into a sewer to dishonor it. But a pious Christian woman retrieved her holy relics, which as of the beginning of the last century were still said to be revered in the Monastery of Ribas de Sil and at the Church of Ters in Astorga in northern Spain. Martha is the patron Saint of the city of Astorga (anciently called Asturica Augusta).
Copyright © 2016, Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, all rights reserved.
All reproduction of texts or icons on this website in any form
without prior written permission is forbidden.