Antonia and Alexander
Encyclopedia
Saints Antonia and Alexander were Christian
martyr
s of 313, and they are saint
s whose acta are legendary. The story of the two is nearly identical to that of Saints Theodora and Didymus.
Diocletian
, in order to increase the number of native-born Roman
citizens, made intentional celibacy
among women a crime. All Roman women of suitable age were commanded to marry and, if possible, produce young. At the same time, Diocletian persecuted Christians. The legend of Antonia and Alexander has the former being forced to a brothel
(the penalty for women who refused to wed), where a Christian soldier named Alexander came to her in the guise of a customer. Instead of taking her virginity, he traded clothes with her, allowing Antonia to escape. Alexander was discovered very soon after, and both Antonia and Alexander were executed by being burned alive.
"Antonia" and "Alexander" may be mnemonic device names that made oral repetition of the tale easier, and so it is possible, if not likely, that they are invented names. Whether Theodora and Didymus were the originals or not, it is possible that these legends are shadows of an actual martyrdom that had been lost to the story tellers. The feast day of Antonia and Alexander in the Roman Catholic Church
is May 3.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
s of 313, and they are saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
s whose acta are legendary. The story of the two is nearly identical to that of Saints Theodora and Didymus.
Diocletian
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
, in order to increase the number of native-born Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
citizens, made intentional celibacy
Celibacy
Celibacy is a personal commitment to avoiding sexual relations, in particular a vow from marriage. Typically celibacy involves avoiding all romantic relationships of any kind. An individual may choose celibacy for religious reasons, such as is the case for priests in some religions, for reasons of...
among women a crime. All Roman women of suitable age were commanded to marry and, if possible, produce young. At the same time, Diocletian persecuted Christians. The legend of Antonia and Alexander has the former being forced to a brothel
Brothel
Brothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
(the penalty for women who refused to wed), where a Christian soldier named Alexander came to her in the guise of a customer. Instead of taking her virginity, he traded clothes with her, allowing Antonia to escape. Alexander was discovered very soon after, and both Antonia and Alexander were executed by being burned alive.
"Antonia" and "Alexander" may be mnemonic device names that made oral repetition of the tale easier, and so it is possible, if not likely, that they are invented names. Whether Theodora and Didymus were the originals or not, it is possible that these legends are shadows of an actual martyrdom that had been lost to the story tellers. The feast day of Antonia and Alexander in the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
is May 3.