Wood icon, "Saint Martyr Valentina", miniature, 7x10cm

Hand painted wood icon of Saint Martyr Valentina. Miniature measuring 7x10 cm. Original artwork.

Saint Valentina was from Caesarea of Palestine. She was small and known for wearing old, worn out clothing.

One day, when she was with her friend Thea, they joined a group of Christians gathered to hear the Holy Scriptures. Local officials broke up the meeting, grabbed Thea and tortured her.

Valentina yelled, “How long will you torment my sister?” When the thugs heard her, they grabbed her, too. Valentina was dragged away to be burned on an altar which had already been prepared by the heathens. Kicking the altar with her feet, she knocked it over. Then, Valentina and Thea were tied together and burnt alive.

Saint Valentina’s Christian bond with Saint Thea was so strong that whether or not they were natural sisters, they were spiritual sisters. And, Saint Valentina was not going to let Saint Thea be martyred without her.

The women died for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in 308.

The ancient Latin name “Valentina” means “strong, vigorous and healthy.”

We honor these Holy Virgin Martyrs on February 10 and July 18.