Mount Athos weathered lithography (icon) of Saint Agatha the Virgin Martyr in pine wood with carved decoration.

Saint Agatha lived and martyred during the period when Decius was the emperor of Rome. She came from a wealthy family who had embraced paganism. Opinions differ on her origin. She came from Palermo or Catania in Sicily. The Saint was distinguished for her beauty, her character and her warm faith in Christ. When she was orphaned at a young age, she gave all her belongings to her poor fellow human beings.

The pagan ruler Kintianos admired her beauty and wanted to marry her. Agatha denied and vigorously confessed her Christian faith, a fact that angered Kintianos. She suffered horrible torture and surrendered her soul to God. During the torture, her breast was amputated. Saint Agatha is considered a protector of the breast and a healer of its diseases. Her Holy Skull is located in the Monastery of Saint Paul on Mount Athos. Her memory is commemorated by the Orthodox Christian Church on February 5 of each year.

Apolytikion of Saint Agatha the Virgin Martyr

Fourth Tone

O Lord Jesus, unto Thee Thy lamb doth cry with a great voice: O my Bridegroom, Thee I love; and seeking Thee, I now contest, and with Thy baptism am crucified and buried. I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; for Thy sake I die, that I may live in Thee: accept me offered out of longing to Thee as a spotless sacrifice. Lord, save our souls through her intercessions, since Thou art great in mercy.