Nothing certain is known of her, but according to her untrustworthy legend, she was the daughter of a paganpriest at Antioch in Pisidia. Also known as Marina, she was converted to Christianity, whereupon she was driven from home by her father. She became a shepherdess and when she spurned the advances of Olybrius, the prefect, who was infatuated with her beauty, he charged her with being a Christian. He had her tortured and then imprisoned, and while she was in prison she had an encounter with the devil in the form of a dragon. According to the legend, he swallowed her, but the cross she carried in her hand so irritated his throat that he was forced to disgorge her (she is patroness of childbirth). The next day, attempts were made to execute her by fire and then by drowning, but she was miraculously saved and converted thousands of spectators witnessing her ordeal-all of whom were promptly executed. Finally, she was beheaded. That she existed and was martyred are probably true; all else is probably fictitious embroidery and added to her story, which was immensely popular in the Middle Ages, spreading from the East all over Western Europe. She is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, and hers was one of the voices heard by Joan of Arc. Her feast day is July 20th.
Comments
Saint Margaret of Antioch pray for us all, All; pray, Pray with the other Thirteen with Christ and His Twelve; pray with the Seventy Two for growing peace on Earth and through the Twelve Pearl passages to Heaven; pray those choosing their ways choose of Sainted gates and not earthen holes and caves of covetous pride; say "Aye," to Saint Joan again for us, and Jesus, Mary and Yahweh, before Whose shining Throne may all each our cares be known, taught and blown away, Amen
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