Ammonaria

Saint Ammonaria, Martyr, suffered at Alexandria in the persecution of Decius, in the third century, together with Mercuria, Dionysia and a second Ammonaria. Bishop Dionysius of Alexandria, witness of some martyrdoms of that persecution, related that Ammonaria, a virgin, was cruelly tortured to make her repeat the blasphemies the judge indicated to her, but she refused, enduring with fortitude, and was condemned to die, probably by the sword. Mercuria was already old, and Dionysia, who had several children, entrusted them to God and suffered martyrdom out of love for Him; the name of the fourth is not known, perhaps also Ammonaria. The judge, furious that he had not managed to overcome Ammonaria's steadfastness, did not wish to risk another defeat and condemned the other three at once to death, without torments. The Catholic Church venerates her as a virgin and martyr on 12 December.