Saint Agatha of Catania: the Young Martyr Loved by Catholics and Orthodox

Saint Agatha is one of the best-loved martyrs in all of Christendom. A young Christian of Catania, she died in 251 during the persecution of Emperor Decius. Her name is mentioned in the Roman Canon of the Mass, and she is venerated on 5 February by both the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches.

Her story

According to tradition Agatha belonged to a noble family; most sources say she was born in Catania, others in Palermo. As a young woman she consecrated herself to Christ. The proconsul Quintianus, who governed the city, wanted her for himself and, when she refused, accused her of being a Christian. Agatha resisted flattery and threats and was subjected to cruel tortures. Her Passion relates that the apostle Peter appeared to her in prison to heal her. She died on 5 February 251.

The veil and Etna

A year after her death, according to tradition, an eruption of Etna threatened Catania. The people took the veil that covered the saint's tomb and carried it towards the lava, which stopped. Ever since, Saint Agatha's veil has been one of the city's dearest symbols, and the saint is invoked against fire and eruptions.

The relics, from Constantinople to Catania

In 1040 the Byzantine general George Maniakes took Agatha's relics, together with those of Saint Lucy, to Constantinople. In 1126 two soldiers, Gisliberto and Goselmo, brought them back to Catania. The August feast still commemorates that return.

Agatha and Lucy

Agatha and Lucy are bound by a spiritual friendship that spans the centuries. According to tradition, Lucy went from Syracuse to Catania with her sick mother to pray at Agatha's tomb; her mother was healed, and Lucy decided to give everything to the poor and consecrate herself to Christ. The two saints are remembered together in the Roman Canon of the Mass.

What she teaches us today

Catania is less than an hour from Taormina. During the spiritual days we talk about Agatha along with the other saints of Sicily, and those who wish can agree a visit to places linked to her memory. The historical background is in Byzantine Sicily and the Italo-Greek saints.

Feast day

The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches commemorate Saint Agatha on 5 February. In Catania the feast, from 3 to 5 February, is one of the largest religious festivals in the world; on 17 August the return of the relics is commemorated.

How to take part

The days take place near Taormina, in Sicily. The places to visit are agreed together each time. There is no overnight stay: we share one day, and in the evening everyone returns to their own home. Hospitality has no price and does not depend on any offering: whoever comes is welcomed for who they are. Everyone contributes as they can: anyone who cannot leave anything is welcomed like everyone else, and takes part by giving a little of their time.

The days are reserved for Catholic and Orthodox Christians, because they are lived in shared prayer. To ask for a date, simply write to me on WhatsApp. The spirit of the days is told in the manifesto of hospitality.

If you would like to know what makes this mission possible, read The circle of love.

Explore the other pages

The days: Christian spiritual days in Sicily · The Philoxenia of Abraham · Spiritual search and finding yourself · Day retreat, silent retreat and pilgrimage: the international names

Spiritual travel in Sicily: Spiritual tourism in Sicily: the guide · Pilgrimage walking routes in Sicily · Holy Week and Easter in Sicily · Religious festivals in Sicily: the calendar · Orthodox pilgrimage in Sicily · Spiritual Nordic walking and ski walking in Sicily

Nature and places: Spiritual Taormina · Spiritual walks in nature · Christian meditation in nature in Sicily · Places to meditate near Taormina and Messina · Places to meditate in Sicily

Prayer: Christian asceticism: the spiritual struggle · The prayer of the heart or Jesus Prayer · Hesychasm: the prayer of stillness · The Philokalia: the Neptic Fathers

The saints of Sicily: Byzantine Sicily and the Italo-Greek saints · Saint Hilarion the Great in Sicily · Saint Methodios of Syracuse · Saint Joseph the Hymnographer · Saint Elias the Younger of Enna · Saint Lucy of Syracuse · Saint Pancras of Taormina

Sources

What this story teaches

Agatha had neither weapons nor power, yet no one could take her freedom away: the strength of the saints is faithfulness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Saint Agatha?

A young Christian of Catania, consecrated to Christ, martyred on 5 February 251 during the persecution of Decius. She is the patron saint of Catania.

Was Saint Agatha born in Catania or Palermo?

Most sources say Catania; a Palermo tradition holds she was born in Palermo. It is certain that her martyrdom took place in Catania.

What is Saint Agatha's veil?

It is the veil that covered her tomb. According to tradition, carried towards Etna's lava a year after her martyrdom, it stopped the eruption.

Is Saint Agatha also venerated by the Orthodox?

Yes. She is a martyr of the early centuries, before the separation of 1054: the Orthodox Churches commemorate her on 5 February, as does the Catholic Church.

When is Saint Agatha's feast celebrated in Catania?

From 3 to 5 February, with one of the largest religious festivals in the world; on 17 August the return of the relics from Constantinople in 1126 is commemorated.

What is the link between Saint Agatha and Saint Lucy?

According to tradition Lucy prayed at Agatha's tomb for her mother's healing, and after the healing consecrated herself to Christ. They are remembered together in the Roman Canon.

Why did Saint Agatha's relics go to Constantinople?

In 1040 the Byzantine general George Maniakes took them to the capital of the Empire. They returned to Catania in 1126.

What is Saint Agatha the patron of?

Of Catania, and she is invoked against fire and eruptions. She is also invoked by women with breast disease, in memory of the tortures she suffered.