Martha

Baring-Gould: February · S. MARTHA, V. M

[Roman Martyrology. Authority:--The ancient Acts, which are not, however, in their original form; but the substantial authenticity of the facts mentioned by them there is no reason to dispute.]

This blessed saint suffered in the reign of Decius, under the proconsul Paternus. He ordered her to be racked, and beaten with knotted sticks, and then taken back to prison. She seems to have been noble by birth, and wealthy, for the proconsul endeavoured to persuade her to relinquish her religion and marry his son. She, however, constantly refused, declaring that she had chosen Jesus Christ as her heavenly bridegroom. She was then ordered to be executed with the sword, and her body to be cast into a foul place. It was withdrawn from this place by a pious matron; and her relics are preserved at the monastery of Rivæ de Sil, and in the church of Tera, in the diocese of Astorga.

Biographical overview

Saint Martha may refer to: Martha of Bethany, Biblical character and contemporary of Jesus Saints Maris, Martha, Abachum and Audifax, third-century martyrs killed for their faith Saint Martha, mother of Simeon Stylites the Younger, saint in the Eastern Orthodox church Saint Martha (French), fourth-century nun, wife of St Amator St Martha, Surrey, a civil parish in England

Martyrologium Romanum · Latin witness

In civitate Asturicensi, in Hispania, sanctae Marthae, Virginis et Martyris, quae, sub Decio Imperatore et Paterno Proconsule, dire ob Christi fidem est cruciata et gladio tandem occisa.