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Mosaic
Icon of St. Crispina, Martyr of Africa
Feast:
Dec. 5
Crispina
was a martyr of Africa who suffered during the persecution of
Diocletian. She hailed from a distinguished family, married, and had
children. Brought before the proconsul Anulinus, the Saint was ordered
to sacrifice to the gods. She declared that she worshipped the one and
only God. The judge then commanded her hair be shorn, and she was
exposed to the mockeries of the public. The most difficult obstacle was
the tears of her children. Amidst all these pressures, St. Crispina
remained resolute in the Faith. When condemned to death, she thanked
God and joyfully offered her head to the executioner. Her feast was
observed already in the time of St. Augustine, who often mentions her
as well known throughout Africa and worthy to be held in veneration
just as Sts. Agnes and Thecla. She was beheaded at Thebeste, Numidia on
the 5th of December in the year 304. Her name is called upon in certain
church Litanies, in the Western rite. Through her holy prayers, Christ
God, have mercy on us and save us!
Icon is
from a mosaic in the Basilica of St. Apollinaris in Ravenna.
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