medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
February5th is the feast of St Agatha, Virgin Martyr from Catania in Sicily, date uncertain. Her early cult is attested by her inclusion in Jerome's Martyrology, the Roman Canon and the Calendar of Carthage of c.530. She is depicted in the mosaics of St Apolonaire Nuovo, Ravenna. Her Acts are late and fictitious and tell of her attempted seduction by the consul Quintinian, he invoking edicts against Christianity to do so. Then kept in a brothel, tortured by rods, rack and fire. Lastly her breasts were cut off - but she was apparently miraculously cured by a vision of St Peter. She died in prison. Invoked against fire and for diseases of the breast. Also patron Saint of bell-founders.
Some images:
St Agatha:
Winchester Cathedral, north choir aisle, nX, A3, Agatha holding breast in tongs:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22274117@N08/4438717456
Shrewsbury, St Mary, Shropshire, north aisle, glass from Trier:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22274117@N08/3167207817
Mells, St Andrew, Somerset, nVI, A2, a figure labelled 'St Agatha' but holding a sword and a saw - surely some mistake:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22274117@N08/3486637550
Gordon Plumb
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