St. Agnes, virgin and martyr, is one of the oldest saints of Rome. Her
legend is described in the fifth century Acts: while a young girl she refused
a number of suitors to remain faithful to her vow of chastity. To punish
her she was put in a brothel, but her virginity was miraculously preserved;
when she was stripped naked, her long hair hid her body (another variant:
an angel covered her with a white cloak). After many humiliations she was
finally executed in c. 350. After her death her parents saw her appear accompanied
by a white lamb. She is the patron saint of betrothed and young girls. |
