Lives Of The Saints
February 9
St. Apollonia
Quick answer
At a glance
- Who is this saint?
- St. Apollonia was a Christian martyr of Alexandria, killed during an uprising in 248 or 249. Her broken teeth became her familiar emblem in art. Her feast is February 9.
- Feast
- February 9
- Brief life source
- Novena Regina editorial summary of Johann Peter Kirsch, “St. Apollonia,” The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. 1 (1907), transcribed at New Advent. Read the source standards.
Saint Apollonia, Artemisia Gentileschi, c. 1642-1644
Brief life
Apollonia was held in esteem among the Christians of Alexandria when a violent uprising brought attacks on the community. A contemporary letter by Bishop Dionysius describes how the crowd struck her, broke her teeth, and threatened her with fire unless she spoke against the faith.
The account records that she entered the fire and died. Dionysius remembered her among the martyrs. His letter was addressed to Fabius of Antioch and was preserved later by Eusebius in the Church History.
Her veneration spread beyond Alexandria. In the West she became especially associated with prayer for toothache, and artists depicted her with a tooth held in pincers. Her feast on February 9 recalls her steadfast confession of Christ.
Questions about this saint
What is the early source for St. Apollonia’s martyrdom?
Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria, described the persecution in a letter to Fabius of Antioch. Eusebius later preserved extracts in his Church History, Book VI, chapter 41.
Why is St. Apollonia shown holding a tooth?
The early account says her persecutors broke her teeth. This explains the pincers and tooth shown in her images and the traditional practice of invoking her intercession in toothache.
When and where is her martyrdom placed?
The 1907 Catholic Encyclopedia places it at Alexandria in late 248 or early 249, during a local uprising before the persecution of Decius. The Roman calendar commemorates her on February 9.
Source for these reading notes
The introduction and answers are Novena Regina editorial summaries of the older reference below. The brief life above has its own source citation at the top of the page.
Next step
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