Messalina of Foligno

Messalina was a Christian virgin of Foligno in Umbria, a disciple of Bishop Felician, who received the crown of martyrdom in the persecution of the emperor Decius, in the year 249. She is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and in the Orthodox Church. Her commemoration is on 23 January.

The birth and death dates usually given are 235 and 249. She came of a distinguished family. She was a disciple of Bishop Felician of Foligno, from whom she received the veil when she took her vow of virginity. When the bishop was seized in the persecution of Decius and thrown into prison, she did not renounce the faith or leave her teacher: she brought him food every day and visited him in prison.

She was denounced as a Christian and, because she refused to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods, she was beaten with clubs until she died, on 23 January 249, a day before her teacher, according to one source.

Her main shrine is in the cathedral of Foligno.