Tatiana of Rome

Saint Tatiana of Rome was born in the imperial city of Rome in the early third century, raised in the Christian faith by her father, a Roman official who kept his belief hidden. As a young woman she dedicated herself to the Church as a deaconess, serving with quiet courage by caring for the sick and assisting the poor. During the reign of Emperor Severus Alexander, she was arrested and brought before the jurist Ulpian, who demanded that she offer sacrifice to Apollo. Tatiana instead turned to prayer, and the pagan idol and part of its temple were said to have been shattered by an earthquake, a sign that strengthened many hearts toward Christ. For her steadfast confession she endured brutal beatings and was even thrown to a lion in the arena, yet the beast did not harm her. After further tortures, she was finally put to death by the sword, sealing her witness as a martyr. Venerated especially as the patron saint of university students, she is remembered on January 12.