Eulalia
Eulalia [1]
a saint of the Church of Rome, was born at Merida, Spain, in 290. She was the descendant of a noble Christian family. When the general persecution of Christians began under Maximian, Eulalia, contrary to the directions given by the Church, voluntarily sought martyrdom by presenting herself to the prefect of Lusitania, remonstrating with him against idolatry and the persecution of Christianity, and by personally insulting him (spitting in his face, etc.).
She was consequently burned alive December 10 (or 12), 303 (or 304). Her relics were preserved at Merida, and many miracles were ascribed to them at the time of the invasion of the Goths and Vandals. Barcelona also claims the possession of the relics of St. Eulalia, and the legend of this saint is so much like that of Eulalia of Merida that it is generally believed that the two are only one person, and that, as is common in the Church of Rome, the same relics are. claimed by two cities. Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Gener. 16:708.
