Description
Saint Martina of Rome
Her feast day is January 30th.
The name originates from Latin and means ‘belonging to Mars – the god of war’.
As a young girl, Martina lost her parents and clung to Christianity, entrusting herself to God. Following the example of the early Christians, she distributed her possessions among the poor. She was also noticed by Emperor Alexander Severus himself, who proposed to her. Saint Martina rejected him, and the emperor realized she was a Christian. He called upon her to publicly renounce her faith and offer sacrifices to the god Apollo. When Martina refused to be intimidated, the furious emperor had her tortured to death.
Patroness of nursing mothers and Rome.
Name Variations: Martina, Tina, Marty, Marti, Tia, Martie, Ina, Mina, Martine, Mar.
