St. Violet icon

Orthodox icon of Saint Violeta, St. Violet, Αγ. Βιολέτα

Commemorated: September 11th.

Saint Violeta, Violet is a Christian martyr from Persia during the 4th century. Her name is often translated as "Violet" or "Violetta" due to the sweet fragrance of violets said to have emanated from her body after her death. 

She was an elderly Christian woman who lived in the fortress city of Bet-Zabde on the border of the Roman and Persian empires. After King Shapur II captured the city in 362 CE, she was taken captive along with 9,000 other Christians.

The Persian king had Ia tortured for 15 months, but she refused to renounce her Christian faith despite attempts by Persian wisemen to persuade her. She was eventually beheaded.