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St. Justina, Virgin and Martyr
of Padua (+ 304)
Feast: Oct. 7
As a young woman, the holy Justina vowed herself privately to chastity,
choosing as her spouse none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
During the persecutions of Diocletian, she was put to death for the
love of her King and Spouse. St. Justina is a patron saint of Padua.
Some say she was a disciple of St. Peter the apostle, but this is hard
to reconcile with the year of her martyrdom. A great monastery was
founded at Padua and dedicated to St. Justina. For many centuries it
was a powerful spiritual centre of the Italian faithful. Later, it was
shut down by the Roman Catholic church. Holy Virgin Martyr Justina,
pray to God for us!
Icon
from the iconostas of St. Luke's Church in Padua, Italy.
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