Claudia of Amisus

Holy Martyr Claudia of Amisus was one of the seven virgin martyrs of Amisus (today Samsun, on the southern coast of the Black Sea), commemorated together: Alexandra, Claudia, Euphrasia, Matrona, Juliana, Euphemia and Theodora (in the Greek Menaion, Theodosia). They died in the time of Emperor Maximian, about the year 310, and are commemorated on 20 March (new style).

The emperor's envoy had first tortured all the Christians of Amisus. Then the seven women, with manly courage, appeared before the governor, condemned his cruelty and confessed Christ the only true God. Enraged, he ordered them taken to the public square, beaten with rods, cut with swords and hung up, then thrown into a blazing furnace. Singing and praying, they gave up their souls to God and received unfading crowns.