Episode 1720: St Victoria

St. Victoria. With her sister Anatolia, she refused importunate suitors. Both were imprisoned and starved by their suitors but persisted in refusing marriage. Anatolia was converted to Christianity and converted many in Picenum before being denounced for her faith, for which she was tortured and executed at Thora on Lake Velino in Italy. When Victoria refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, she too was executed, perhaps at Tribulano. The guard was converted by their example and was also martyred. Their whole story is probably a pious myth, though they did actually live. Feast day is December 23rd.``

Hagiography: The main source of information about St. Victoria and Anatolia comes from hagiographies.

Martyrology: St. Victoria and Anatolia are mentioned in some early martyrologies, which are lists of Christian martyrs.