Agatha, virgin and martyr – February 5th
St Agatha (d. 251, Catania, Sicily) (Relics: Catania, Sicily)
First Class Relics
Duomo di Catania (Catania Cathedral)
Piazza del Duomo
95131 Catania, Sicily, Italy
*The relics of St Agatha are located within the apse of this church in the Chapel of St Agatha. Unfortunately, this chapel is not accessible to the public. However, every year on February 4th and 5th the relics are brought out and the faithful are given the chance to participate in the procession of her relics through the streets of Catania.
Churches of Honor
Chiesa di San Biagio / Sant’Agata alla Fornace
(Church of St Blaise / St Agatha at the Furnace)
Piazza Stesicoro
95124 Catania, Sicily, Italy
*This church marks the spot of St Agatha’s final suffering. It was here that she was placed into a furnace and martyred.
Sant’Agata al Carcere (St Agatha at the Prison)
Via del Colosseo
95124 Catania, Sicily, Italy
*This church is just behind the church of Sant’Agata alla Fornace (listed previously) and is considered to be the site of St Agatha’s imprisonment. Also two lava slabs within this church show the imprints of St Agatha’s little feet.
Churches of Honor in Rome
Sant'Agata dei Goti (St Agatha of the Goths)
Via Mazzarino 16 / Via Panisperna
Rome, Italy
*This church is west of the Basilica of St Mary Major. It was originally an Arian church. However, in 593 after the Imperial forces defeated the Arian Goths the church was reconsecrated to St Agatha.
Sant'Agata in Trastevere (St Agatha in Trastevere)
Largo San Giovanni de Matha 9
Rome, Italy
*This church is located in Trastevere. It is not open often.
*A painting in the sanctuary depicts the martyrdom of St Agatha.
