Apollonia
Early Christian martyr whose teeth were destroyed, patron saint of dentists.
Patronage
dentists, tooth ailments, dental pain
Virtues & Traits
Biography
Apollonia was an elderly Christian virgin and deaconess in Alexandria, Egypt, who suffered persecution during the reign of Roman Emperor Decius around 249 AD. During violent riots against Christians, she was arrested and brutally tortured. According to the account by bishop Dionysius, her persecutors beat her face, broke all her teeth, and threatened to burn her alive. Rather than renounce her faith, Apollonia reportedly walked into the prepared fire and died. Her association with dental suffering stems directly from the specific torment of having her teeth destroyed. She became widely invoked for relief from toothaches and became the patroness of dentists, one of the few saints whose patronage derives from the precise nature of her martyrdom.
Prayer
Prayer to St. Apollonia
O glorious St. Apollonia, virgin and martyr, who didst suffer the loss of thy teeth rather than deny thy faith in Christ, we beseech thee to intercede for us before the throne of God. Grant us strength to endure all trials with patience and courage, and protect us from the pains of tooth and jaw. By thy holy intercession, may we remain steadfast in our devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Generated by Find My Saint for personal reflection. Not an official Church prayer.