The Holy Virgin Martyr Agatha was the fifteen-year-old daughter of wealthy and respected Christian parents from Palermo in Sicily. During the persecution under Emperor Decius (249–251), Quintianus, the prefect of Catania, learned of her beauty, faith, and wealth and had her brought to trial as a Christian. In Catania she was placed in the home of a rich woman and her five daughters, who tried to tempt her with luxury and pleasures and urged her to sacrifice to pagan gods, but Agatha rejected everything and prayed to face martyrdom.

Interrogated by Quintianus, Saint Agatha remained firm despite flattery, threats, and brutal tortures, including the mutilation of her body. The Apostle Peter appeared to her in prison and healed her wounds, astonishing her persecutors when she was brought out whole again. As torture resumed, an earthquake struck the city, killing two of Quintianus’s advisors, and the people demanded an end to her suffering. Fearing revolt, Quintianus sent her back to prison, where Saint Agatha gave thanks to God and peacefully surrendered her soul to the Lord.

Troparion — Tone 4

Your lamb Agatha, calls out to You, O Jesus, in a loud voice: / “I love You, my Bridegroom, and in seeking You I endure suffering. / In baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You, and I died so that I might live with You. / Accept me as a pure sacrifice, / for I have offered myself in love.” / Through her prayers save our souls, since You are merciful.

Kontakion — Tone 4

May the Church be robed today in a garment of glorious porphyry, / dyed by the pure blood of the martyr Agatha, / and let us cry out: “Rejoice, pride of Catania!”