Euthalia, Virgin Martyr
Encyclopedia
Saint Euthalia of Leontini, Sicily
, Virgin and Martyr
, became a Christian
after the miraculous healing and conversion to Christ
of her mother, Saint Eutropia.
Although their conversion was an occasion of great joy for them, one son of the family considered this a great affront. He insisted on their renunciation of faith in Jesus, which they both refused. Euthalia's mother fled the family home, Euthalia herself chose to stay, all the while being threatened with physical harm. She remained fearless in the face of torment and suffering, and was beheaded by her brother's hand.
Euthalia is commemorated 2 March in the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic Churches, and on 27 August in the Roman Catholic Church
.
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, Virgin and Martyr
Christian martyrs
A Christian martyr is one who is killed for following Christianity, through stoning, crucifixion, burning at the stake or other forms of torture and capital punishment. The word "martyr" comes from the Greek word μάρτυς, mártys, which means "witness."...
, became a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
after the miraculous healing and conversion to Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
of her mother, Saint Eutropia.
Although their conversion was an occasion of great joy for them, one son of the family considered this a great affront. He insisted on their renunciation of faith in Jesus, which they both refused. Euthalia's mother fled the family home, Euthalia herself chose to stay, all the while being threatened with physical harm. She remained fearless in the face of torment and suffering, and was beheaded by her brother's hand.
Euthalia is commemorated 2 March in the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic Churches, and on 27 August in the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
.