July 10 St Anatolia of Thyrum (Anatolia of Thurium) & Victoria, Martyrs.
July 10 St Anatolia of Thyrum (Anatolia of Thurium) & Victoria, Martyrs.
Died 250
Patronage: Anatolia of Thyrum:
Rieti, Italy.
Santa Anatolia, Borgorose, Italy.
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Patronage: Victoria:
against earthquakes
against lightning
against severe weather
Aggius, Italy
Anticoli Corrado, Italy
Carsoli, Italy
Castilenti, Italy
Guardiabruna, Italy
Monteleone Sabino, Italy
Pietraferrazzana, Italy
Pisoniano, Italy
Poggio Sannita, Italy
Posta Fibreno, Italy
Santa Vittoria d’Alba, Italy
Santa Vittoria in Matenano, Italy
Siligo, Italy
Spongano, Italy
Telti, Italy
Thiesi, Italy
Tissi, Italy
Tornareccio, Italy
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Saint Victoria and her sister Saint Anatolia are remembered as beautiful Catholic noble women who lived during the reign of Emperor Decius 249-251. They were promised in marriage to noble pagan men who were far from pleased at having heard that they were practicing Catholics. Saint Victoria was initially content with marrying the pagan, as she hoped that she would be able to convert him but her sister refused to marry and convinced St Victoria to do the same. They both sought to devote their lives solely to God.
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The noble pagan suitors both managed to strike a deal with Roman authorities that allowed them to imprison each sister in their respective houses, in order to hopefully convince them to denounce their faith. Both sisters responded by selling all of their possessions, giving all of their money to the poor and devoting themselves to God. Both sisters, during their imprisonment, converted all of the guards, maids and servants in their respective houses.
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Needless to say, the suitors were both furious at the sister’s failure to denounce their faith and acts of converting the guards, maids, etc. Saint Anatolia’s suitor, Titus Aurelius, was furious and hired St Audace, to execute her. He initially locked her in a room with a venomous snake which failed to harm her. Upon seeing this, St Audace converted and was later martyred. Saint Anatolia’s suitor was violently angry and became her murderer himself, by stabbing her to death.
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Saint Victoria’s suitor, Eugenius, soon heard of this murder of Anatolia but continued to try and convince Victoria to apostatize. He went through periods of great kindness towards her followed with periods of extreme ill-treatment. Eventually he renounced his suite and stabbed her to death himself, in a fit of rage. According to legend, he was instantly struck with leprosy and died 6 days later eaten by worms.
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The relics of Saint Victoria are enshrined in the church of Santa Vittoria in Metanano, Italy and the relics of Saint Anatolia, as well as those of Saint Audace, are enshrined in the Basilica of Saint Scholastica in Subiaco.
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Eternal Father, I wish to honor Saints Anatolia of Thyrum & Victoria, and I give Thee thanks for all the graces Thou hast bestowed upon them. I ask Thee to please increase grace in my soul through the merits of these saints, and I commit the end of my life to them by this special prayer, so that by virtue of Thy goodness and promise, Saints Anatolia of Thyrum & Victoria might be my advocate and provide whatever is needed at that hour. Amen.