Christina of Bolsena

Saint Christina of Bolsena is remembered as a virgin and martyr of the early centuries of the Church, traditionally placed in the third century. Her birthplace is uncertain: ancient devotion connects her both to Tyre in Phoenicia and to Bolsena in central Italy, where her tomb and an early Christian cemetery testify that Christians honored her by the fourth century. According to long-loved tradition, Christina was born to a wealthy pagan family and, while still very young, chose Christ as her true Bridegroom. When she refused to worship idols and instead broke them and gave their fragments to the poor, her own father—said to be a local governor—handed her over to harsh torments. Yet again and again she was preserved, strengthened by God’s power, until she finally sealed her witness with martyrdom. Her name has inspired enduring local devotion, and she is honored as patroness of many towns, especially Bolsena. Her feast day is celebrated on July 24.