Agatha of Palermo
Martyr
Commemorated February 5
The holy Martyr Agatha ( feastday : February 5 ) came from the city of Panormos (today called Palermo) on the island of Sicily. She shined with bodily beauty (which was not damaged by the ravages of time) and spiritual fairness, but was also full of riches and material goods. She lived during the reign of the Emperor Decius in 251. Because she was a Christian, she was handed over to the governor, Cutianus. First she was delivered to another unfaithful woman, called Aphrodisia, in order to be turned away from Christ 's holy faith by her exhortations. But the saint firmly kept her piety, desiring to suffer martyrdom rather than deny Christ. So they beat her heavily and cut off her breasts, but she was restored to health by the Apostle Peter , who appeared to her in prison. In later Western art, Agatha is often depicted holding up her breasts on a platter. Then they dragged her on bricks and burnt her badly. Next, they put her in prison and, while she was there, she commended her soul to the hands of God.
Troparion
Thy ewe-lamb Agatha crieth out to Thee with a loud voice, O Jesus:
"I love Thee, O my Bridegroom,
and, seeking Thee, I pass through many struggles:
I am crucified and buried with Thee in Thy baptism,
and suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee;
I die for Thee that I might live with Thee.
As an unblemished sacrifice accept me,
who sacrifice myself with love for Thee
By her supplications save Thou our souls, in that Thou art merciful.
Kontakion
Let the Church be adorned today with a glorious robe of purple
dyed in the pure blood of the martyr Agatha,
crying out: Rejoice, O boast of Catania!