Saint Apollonia


Apollonia
Saint Apollonia, by Francisco de Zurbarán Louvre Museum, from the Convent of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy and the Redemption of the Captives Discalced of Saint Joseph (Seville).
Virgin and martyr
Born2nd century
Died249
Alexandria, Roman Egypt
Venerated inCatholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy
CanonizedPre-congregation
Feast9 February (Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches), 2 Meshir (Coptic Orthodox Church)
AttributesTongs (sometimes with a tooth in them), depicted holding a cross or martyr's palm or crown
PatronageDentists; Tooth problems; Elst, Belgium; Ariccia, Italy; Cuccaro Monferrato, Italy

Saint Apollonia (Greek: 'Αγία Απολλωνία, Coptic: Ϯⲁⲅⲓⲁ Ⲁⲡⲟⲗⲗⲟⲛⲓⲁ, pronounced [tiˈaɡiə ʔa.pɔlˈlo.ni.jə]) was one of a group of virgin martyrs who suffered in Alexandria during a local uprising against the Christians prior to the persecution of Decius. According to church tradition, her torture included having all of her teeth violently pulled out or shattered. For this reason, she is popularly regarded as the patroness of dentistry and those suffering from toothache or other dental problems. French court painter Jehan Fouquet painted the scene of St. Apollonia's torture in The Martyrdom of St. Apollonia.[1]

  1. ^ Olmert, Michael (1996). Milton's Teeth and Ovid's Umbrella: Curiouser & Curiouser Adventures in History, p.66. Simon & Schuster, New York. ISBN 0-684-80164-7.