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Saint Marciana of Toledo (died c. 303) is a venerated martyr in Toledo, Spain whose feast day is celebrated by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church on July 12.[1]
Life edit
St. Marciana was born in Toledo, Spain, to a family of nobility. Nevertheless, she abhorred the worldly benefits of a high social status and she put aside her worldly riches. She decided to travel to Caesarea, Mauretania (modern-day Algeria) and lock herself in a cell within a cave in order to preserve her virginity (for she was said to be very beautiful) and consecrate herself to God through various exercises in fasts and other practices of self-deprivation that were used in lieu of martyrdom.[2] Caesarea was by that time occupied by the Roman Empire under the Emperor Diocletian[2] (284-305 A.D.[3]). While walking in the public square, Marciana noticed a statue to the Roman goddess Diana and in her religious zeal, she struck the statue's head off.[2]
Following this prayer, a leopard was released into the amphitheater and mangled Marciana to death.[2]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Phillips, Fr Andrew. "Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome". www.orthodoxengland.org.uk.
- ^ a b c d "St. Marciana of Spain - Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese". www.antiochian.org.
- ^ "Diocletian | Biography, Empire, Definition, Persecution, & Reign | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.