St. Martina of Rome
Daily Saints /Saints



Roman martyrology:  At Rome, St. Martina, virgin and martyr, who is commemorated on the first day of this month.

SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Wealthy daughter of a Christian Roman consul. On her parent’s death, she gave away her riches to the poor and devoted herself to prayer. Tortured and martyred in the persecutions of Alexander Severus for refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods. A basilica is dedicated to her at the Roman forum.

In the time after her death there were a series of biographies and descriptions of her martyrdom written, each more extravagant that the last, and none with historical value. Assorted miracles were ascribed to her, and her story was blended with those of other early martyrs, especially Saint Prisca and Saint Tatiana of Rome. One of the writers claimed that when she was beheaded, her body bled milk, a tale that led to her patronage of nursing mother and rome.

She was martyred in 228. Her relics were discovered on  October 25, 1634 in a crypt near Mamertine prison at the Roman forum during a church construction project ordered by Pope Urban VIII.