Vassa

Holy Martyr Vassa was one of the companions of the holy martyr Agrippina of Rome, with Paula and Agathonica.

Agrippina, born in Rome of a noble family in the third century, devoted herself to God from youth, and the fragrance of her virtues drew many to purity and virginity. The pagans, envying her, handed her over to the authorities in the time of Valerian's persecution (257), accusing her of turning the maidens against marriage. She answered that she did not deceive but led to God. They struck her on the lips, stripped her and scourged her until blood covered the ground, but she overcame all the schemes of the enemy. An angel healed her wounds, and she came again before the court and in the new torments gave up her soul. Her friends, Vassa, Paula and Agathonica, came to the judgment at risk to their own lives. When the martyr's body was thrown to the dogs, they took the remains and departed, and at night a pillar of light guided them from city to city as far as Sicily. They buried Agrippina's body in a place called Mineo, where a church was later raised; her relics drove out the demons which the islanders honored as gods, and lepers and other sick people received healing. Saracen pirates who attacked the church perished when a golden dove with a cross appeared in the sky. Saints Vassa, Paula and Agathonica were also counted worthy of the crowns of martyrdom.

Saint Vassa is commemorated on 6 July, in the new style, together with Agrippina and the others.