Saint Afra

Saint Afra
Saint Afra, by the Master of Messkirch, c. 1535–1540
Martyr
Born	Augsburg, Rhaetia, Roman Empire
Died	c. 304 Augsburg, Rhaetia, Roman Empire
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church
Major shrine	St. Ulrich's and St. Afra's Abbey, Augsburg
Feast	August 7 (sometimes listed as August 5)
Attributes	depicted being burnt to death
Patronage	Augsburg; converts; martyrs; penitent women

Saint Afra (died 304) was martyred during the Diocletian persecution. Along with Saint Ulrich, she is a patron saint of Augsburg. Her feast day is August 7. Afra was dedicated to the service of the goddess Venus by her mother, Hilaria. Through his teachings, Bishop Narcissus converted Afra and her family to Christianity. When it was learned that Afra was a Christian, she was brought before Diocletian and ordered to sacrifice to the pagan gods. She refused and was condemned to death by fire.