Saint Apollonia is the patroness of dentists and people suffering from dental diseases. She is portrayed with a pair of pincers holding a tooth or a golden tooth suspended from her necklace. St. Apollonia was a holy virgin who suffered martyrdom in Alexandria during a local uprising against the Christians in the early 3rd century. While most Christians fled the city, abandoning all their possessions, an old deaconess, Apollonia, was seized. The crowds beat her, knocking out all of her teeth. Then they lit a large fire and threatened to throw her in it if she did not curse her God. She begged them to wait a moment, acting as if she was considering their requests. Instead, she jumped willingly into the flames and so suffered martyrdom. Saint Augustine explained her voluntary martyrdom as a special inspiration of the Holy Spirit since no one was allowed to cause their own death.
Saint Apollonia, you were willing to suffer and die for Christ; pray that our hearts like thine may also be inflamed with love for Jesus. Amen.
Prepared and updated by:
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.
No comments:
Post a Comment