Difference between revisions of "Agatha"

<p> <b> [[Agatha]] </b> , a virgin martyred at Catana in [[Sicily]] under Decius, Feb. 5, 251, according to her <i> Acta </i> ; but under [[Diocletian]] according to the Martyrol. and Aldhelm ( <i> de Virgin. </i> 22); mentioned by [[Pope]] Damasus A.D. 366 ( <i> Carm. </i> v.), and by Venantius [[Fortunatus]] <i> c </i> . 580; inserted in the [[Canon]] of the Mass by [[Gregory]] the Great according to Aldhelm ( <i> u.s. </i> , and see also S. Greg. M. <i> Dial. </i> iii. 30); and commemorated in a homily by Methodius, <i> c. </i> 900. Her name is in the Carthag. [[Calendar]] of <i> c. </i> 450; in Ruinart, p. 695; and in the black-letter calendar in our Prayer-book. Churches at Rome were dedicated to her by pope [[Symmachus]] <i> c. </i> 500; by Ricimer A.D. 460, enriched with her relics by Gregory the Great; and by Gregory II. in 726. She is the patroness of [[Malta]] (Butler's <i> Lives of [[Saints]] </i> ). See also the homily against <i> [[Peril]] of [[Idolatry]] </i> , p. iii. </p> <p> [A.W.H.] </p>

<p> a female [[Christian]] martyr, born at Palermo, in the third century. Quintianus, the pagan governor of Sicily (A.D. 251), captivated with her charms, and incensed by her rejection of his illicit overtures, tortured her in the most brutal manner. By his order she was first scourged with rods, then burnt with red-hot irons and cruelly torn with sharp hooks; after which she was laid upon a bed of live coals mingled with glass. She died in prison February 5, A.D. 251. The history of Agatha, however, given by the Bollandists, is suspected of corruption. '''''—''''' Tillemont, 3, 209; Butler, Lives of Saints, Feb. 5. </p>