The Martyrdom of Saint Apollonia, 18th Century, Oil on Canvas

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: Saint Apollonia is a saint of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, venerated as a virgin and martyr. She was … Read more : Saint Apollonia is a saint of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, venerated as a virgin and martyr. She was born in Alexandria, Egypt, in the 3rd century and lived in a community of virgins consecrated to God. In 249, during the persecution of Emperor Decius, she was captured by pagans who broke her teeth with pincers and threatened to burn her alive unless she renounced her faith. Saint Apollonia, preferring death rather than denying Christ, voluntarily threw herself into the pyre, offering her life as a testimony of love. The martyrdom of Saint Apollonia occurred in a context of violence and hatred towards Christians, who were accused of being responsible for the calamities afflicting the Roman Empire. The popular fury was sparked by a fortune teller who incited the crowd to unleash their attacks on Christ's followers. Saint Apollonia, along with other Christians, was targeted by persecutors, who cruelly tortured her. Her teeth, a symbol of her purity and wisdom, were pulled out with pliers, and she was subjected to other excruciating pain. She was then ordered to utter sacrilegious words or else they would throw her into the fire. Saint Apollonia, rather than give in to fear, freed herself from their grasp and threw herself into the flames, dying a heroic martyr. Measurements: 80 x 105 cm. Provenance: 18th century Italy. Document: Certificate of Authenticity. See less