Asteria of Bergamo

Saint Asteria of Bergamo (Hesteria) was a virgin martyr venerated at Bergamo in Lombardy, Italy. She was slain around 307. She was the sister of Saint Grata, and together they buried the body of the holy martyr Alexander.

According to the hagiographer Agnes Dunbar, Grata was the daughter of Saint Lupus and Saint Adelaide, duke and duchess of Bergamo; left a widow, she converted her parents and persuaded them to build the cathedral of Bergamo. She was known especially for her zeal in securing Christian burial for the bodies of martyrs; she built three churches and a hospital for the poor. The two sisters buried the body of Saint Alexander after Grata wrapped his head in a napkin. Grata was put to death for burying him; her feast day is 4 September. She is a co-⁠patron of the city of Bergamo. Asteria is commemorated on 10 August as a saint of the undivided Church, by the New Calendar.