PATRON SAINT INDEX NAME PATRONS

people named

Victoria [latin]
Vicki [nickname for Victoria]
Vickie [nickname for Victoria]
Vicky [nickname for Victoria]
Victoire [french variant]
Victoriana [spanish variant]
Victorina [spanish variant]
Victorine [english variant]
Vik [nickname for Victoria]
Vikki [nickname for Victoria]
Vikkie [nickname for Victoria]
Vikky [nickname for Victoria]
Vikte [lithuanian variant]
Viktoria [german, swedish, italian variant]

meaning

the conqueror [latin]

patrons

Victoria ^{11 Feb}

Victoria ^{17 Nov}

Victoria ^{23 Dec}

Victoria Fornari

Our Lady of Victory

Saint Victoria

Memorial

11 February

Profile

North African nobility. Convert in her youth. She refused an arranged marriage to a young nobleman, and on her wedding day she leaped from a window in her parents' house. She sought sanctuary in a nearby church, and there dedicated her life to God.

Arrested during the Eucharist for her faith, her pagan brother, Fortunatianus, tried to intercede with the judge by claiming she was insane; she disproved this by engaging in debate with the judge. The judge, Anulinus, was willing to release her if she agreed to her brother's supervision, but she refused, saying she could obey only God. Anulinus finally, knowing her family, pleaded with her to not throw away her life on what he considered a fantasy; she proclaimed that she was a Christian, that she was loyal to God, and that she had taken part in the Eucharist. Marytred with 45 fellow parishioners; they have long been given as examples hose who are lukewarm in attending Mass. She was noted during her imprisonment for her courage.

Died

tortured to death in 304 in prison at Albitina, north Africa; relics may be in an ancient sacristy in Rignano, Italy, and/or a chapel in Maria Stein, Ohio, USA

Canonized

Pre-Congregation

Saint Victoria

Memorial

17 November
formerly 27 June

Profile

Sister of Saint Acislus. Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian. After their deaths, their home was turned into a church. They have an office in the Mozabic Liturgy, and devotion to them is widespread throughout Spain and France.

Born

at Cordoba, Spain

Died

shot with arrows in 304

Canonized

Pre-Congregation

Representation

crowned with roses
in the company of Saint Acislus

Patronage

Cordoba, Spain

Additional Information

Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Dictionary of Saints, by John Delaney
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson

Saint Victoria

Memorial

23 December

Profile

Beautiful Roman Christian noblewoman. Sister of Saint Anatolia. The two sisters were set for arranged marriages to noble Roman pagans, and were hesitant. Victoria argued that it would be all right as the patriarchs in the Old Testament had been married; but Anatolia cited other examples to prove that for the holiest lives, they should devote themselves to God and stay single. Victoria was convinced, sold her jewelry, gave the money to the poor, and refused to go through with the wedding to a fellow named Eugenius.

The two suitors insisted on the weddings, and the sisters refused. The young men denouced the women as Christians, but obtained authority to imprison them their estates, in hopes of breaking their faith and changing their minds. The women converted their servants and guards sent to watch them. Anatolia's suitor, Titus Aurelius, soon gave up, and handed her back to the authorities. Eugenius stayed at it for years, alternating between good and harsh treatment of Victoria, but eventually even he gave up, and returned her to the authorities. She was martyred by order of Julian, prefect of the Capitol and count of the temples.

Modern research indicates their story is most likely pious fiction that was mistaken for history.

Died

stabbed through the heart in 250 by the executioner Liliarcus at Tabulana, Italy; legend says her murderer was immediately struck with leprosy, and died six days later, eaten by worms.