Saint Philomena

Daughter of a King in Greece

AD 291-304

Born: Corfu, Greece

Survived: scourging, attempted drowning with anchor and shot with arrows

Miracles: after every torture angels came and healed Philomena through her prayer

Died: Rome, Italy, beheaded

Patron Saint of infants, youth, lost causes, virgins

The story of Philomena and her tragic persecution started with the journey of her parents who travelled to Rome from Greece on behalf of peace of their Kingdom in response to the threat of war. Once before the Emperor Diocletian Saint Philomena became the object of the Emperor’s advances and when refused he sought out to torture Philomena through multiple attempts.

Tilework contained in the original tomb found in the Catacombs of Saint Pricilla depicting two anchors, three arrows, an ivy leaf and a palm represents the story that had been told about the Martyr’s life. The words engraved on the tiles stated “Peace with you, Philomena”. Here in this painting, the anchor represents her attempted drowning that was thwarted by an angel cutting her rope. The arrows symbolize those that were hurled at her in which she was healed the first time, were turned in a second attempt, and in the third failed attempt had returned to where they came and killed the archers that had sent them. Philomena had not escaped death completely with her throat being slit in the end.

As with many Saints her story is questionable backed by a historical context. And yet, as a young princess at the hands of a powerful man who does not renounce her faith, her life is exemplary in expressing Christian conduct against those who deal with tyrannical opposition.