Saint Agatha (died AD 251) is a Christian saint. Her memorial day is February 5th.

Agatha was born in Sicily, at either Catania or Palermo and was martyred in approximately AD 250 at Catania. She is the patron saint of Catania.

According to variations of her legend, having rejected the amorous advances of a Roman prefect, she was persecuted by him for her Christian faith. Among the tortures she underwent was the cutting off of her breasts. She is therefore often depicted iconographically carrying her excised breasts on a platter.

The shape of her amputated breasts gave rise to her attribute as patron saint of bell-founders. More recently she is venerated as patron saint of breast cancer patients.

Her scorned admirer eventually sentanced her to death by being burnt at the stake. However, she was saved from this fate by a mysterious earthquake. She later died in prison.

External link

• Patron Saints Index