Martina of Rome

Saint Martina
Virgin Mary with Saint Agnes and Saint Martina, El Greco.
Virgin and Martyr
Died	228 Rome
Honored in	Roman Catholic Church
Major shrine	Santi Luca e Martina
Feast	January 30
Attributes	palm of martyrdom
Patronage	Rome; nursing mothers

Saint Martina was a Roman martyr under emperor Alexander Severus. She is a patron saint of Rome.

She was martyred in 226, according to some authorities, more probably in 228, under the pontificate of Pope Urban I, according to others. The daughter of an ex-consul and left an orphan at an early age, she so openly testified to her Christian faith that she could not escape the persecutions under Alexander Severus. Arrested and commanded to return to idolatry, she refused, whereupon she was subjected to various tortures and was finally beheaded.

Veneration

The relics of St. Martina were discovered on October 25, 1634, in a crypt of an ancient church situated near the Mamertine Prison and dedicated to the saint. Pope Urban VIII, who occupied the Holy See at that time, had the church repaired and, it would seem, composed the hymns which are sung at the office of the noble martyr.

Her feast day is January 30.

External links

• Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Martina
• Catholic Forum: St. Martina
• Martina at Lives of the Saints
• Saint Patrick's Church: 30 January Saints

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company. 

Persondata
Name	Martina Of Rome
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death	228
Place of death	Rome