Saint Marciana | |
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The Martyrdom of Saint Marciana. 15th century French manuscript.
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Died | 303 Caesarea, Mauretania Caesariensis |
Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
Feast | January 9 |
Attributes | represented as a maiden gored by a bull; sometimes depicted with a leopard and bull near her; martyr's palm |
Patronage | invoked to cure wounds |
Marciana (died 303) is venerated as a martyr and saint. Her legend states that she was a virgin from Mauretania Caesariensis. During the persecutions of Christians by Roman Emperor Diocletian, she was accused of having smashed a statue of Diana. Marciana was thrown to the wild beasts in the amphitheatre of Caesarea. She was gored to death by a bull and mauled by a leopard.
The Mozarabic office had a special hymn in her honor.