The Holy Virgin Martyr Agatha was the fifteen-year-old
daughter of rich and respected Christian parents from the city of
Palermo (formerly Panormos) in Sicily. During the persecution under the
emperor Decius (249-251), the city prefect of Catania, Quintianus,
having heard about Agatha’s wealth and beauty, sent his soldiers after
her to bring her to trial as a Christian.
At Catania they housed
the saint with a certain rich woman, who had five daughters. They all
attempted to tempt St Agatha with fine clothes, amusements and
entertainment, urging her to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the
saint disdained all these things. The more they tried to move her, the
more resolute she became. She prayed that she might soon face martyrdom.
During
her interrogation under Quintianus, the holy martyr was swayed neither
by the flattery, nor by the threats, and she was subjected to cruel
torments. They also tried to remove her breasts with metal tongs, and
when this failed, they used knives.
The holy Apostle Peter
appeared to her in prison and healed her wounds. St Agatha was led to
torture again, and Quintianus was astonished to see her completely
healed, with no trace of cutting. Then the torture began once more.
At
this moment an earthquake took place in the city, and many buildings
were destroyed. Among those killed were two of Quintianus’s advisors.
The terrified inhabitants rushed to Quintianus, demanding an end to
Agatha’s tortures. Fearing a revolt by the people, Quintianus sent St
Agatha back to prison. There the martyr, offering thanks to God,
peacefully surrendered her soul to the Lord.
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