Relics & Shrines
The synaxarion states that the martyrs suffered in the second century at Damascus, where their venerable relics were buried.
Martyr 2nd century
Martyr Stephanida of Damascus
Also known as Corona · Stephanie
A young Christian woman who witnessed Saint Victor's torments, confessed Christ, and was martyred after joining his witness.
Feast Day
November 11
Draft
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Commemorated as
The Holy Martyr Stephanida of Damascus
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Military Service
Life
Stephanida of Damascus was an early Christian martyr commemorated by the Orthodox Church on November 11. According to the synaxarion, she suffered at Damascus in Roman Syria during the reign of the emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180), and her witness is recounted together with that of the soldier-martyr Victor, with whom she shares a feast.
The tradition relates that Stephanida was a young Christian woman, the wife of one of the men who tormented Victor. Moved by the miracles she saw worked through Victor's prayers, she openly confessed Christ before the persecutors and was put to death. She is said to have been fifteen years old.
Timeline 3 moments Read Hide
- 2nd century (reign of Marcus Aurelius, 161-180) Witness to Victor's torments During a persecution of Christians under the emperor Marcus Aurelius, Stephanida, the wife of one of the torturers, observed the sufferings of the soldier Victor, who according to the synaxarion endured his torments unharmed and through whose prayers miracles were reported, including blind soldiers receiving their sight.
- 2nd century Confession of Christ Witnessing these events, Stephanida openly glorified Christ before the persecutors, an act of public confession for which she was condemned to death.
- 2nd century, at Damascus Martyrdom By tradition she was bound to two palm trees that had been bent down to the ground; when the trees were released they sprang back and tore her apart. She is recorded as having been fifteen years old.
Contributions & Legacy
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Sources & Traditions
The Orthodox account followed here derives from the synaxarion as preserved in the Lives of the Saints, which places the martyrdom under Marcus Aurelius and gives Stephanida's age as fifteen.
Some Western-influenced retellings identify Stephanida with the martyr Corona ('crown') venerated in Austria and Bavaria and report differing emperors and dates; these variants are noted but not relied upon, the synaxarion's account being taken as authoritative.
Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints