ST MATRONA, MARTYR OF THESSALONICA

ST MATRONA, MARTYR OF THESSALONICA - 15 MARCH

SAINT MATRONA, MARTYR OF THESSALONICA

Saint Matrona was a slave in Thessalonica. Her mistress was of the Jewish religion. Other hagiographers call her a "pagan widow." She was called Plautilla (after Ado) or Pautilla (after the Menae).

SHE WAS TORTURED TO DEATH

All reports agree that the maid was tortured to death by her mistress because of her Christian faith and that (according to Ado and others) the torture lasted three days, with Matrona recovering from her wounds both on the first and again on the second day.

The woman received heaven's punishment for her nefarious deed by falling into a barrel of filth and suffocating in it.

In Thessalonica there was a church in honour of St Matrona. It is doubtful whether she was a virgin, since the Greek Menaeans do not give her this predicate, but several Latin martyrologies do.

HER FEAST DAY

The time of her death cannot be determined even approximately. She is venerated in the Latin Church on March 14 and 15, by the Greeks on March 27, and finally by the Copts on September 3.

Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints

HER ENTRY IN THE ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

At Thessalonica, Saint Matrona, servant of a Jewess, who, worshipping Christ secretly, and stealing away daily to the church to pray, was detected by her mistress, and subjected to many trials. Being at last beaten to death with heavy clubs, she gave up her pure soul to God in confessing Christ.

PRAYER:

May blessed Matrona, who was ever pleasing to you by her trust in your power, implore for us your forgiveness, we beseech you, O God. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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