Saint Melitta

Melissa (Melissae or Melitine or Melitinḗ or Melitina; 28 February, 126 – 16 September, 157) was a virgin and martyr in 2nd-century Christian traditions, venerated as a saint. According to legend, she was a missionary from the Italian peninsula and lived in Marcianople with the mission of evangelizing other peoples. At the same time, Thrace, the region in which the city was located, was controlled by governor Antiochus. She was martyred by him during the persecution of Emperor Antoninus Pius. Her liturgical feast is celebrated on September 16 . Melissa, a devout Christian originally from the Brescia region of Italy, was sent as a missionary to Thrace during the reign of Antoninus Pius. There, under the rule of the persecutor Antiochus, her preaching led to the conversion of many pagans, which resulted in her arrest. Gifted with miraculous gifts, she destroyed the idols of Apollo and Hercules, causing scandal among the Gentiles and aggravating the ire of the authorities. Refusing to renounce her Christian faith, she was entrusted to Antiochus' wife and a group of influential women who attempted, in vain, to persuade her to abandon her faith. The attempt to persuade her to renounce her faith failed. Melissa resisted all pressure and succeeded in converting Antiochus' wife and other women in the pagan circle. The woman charged with leading her to idolatry also converted to Christianity. Together, they began to evangelize in secret, facing the constant threat of persecution. When Antiochus discovered his wife's conversion, he became furious and ordered their immediate execution. Melissa and the governor's wife were beheaded, sealing their testimony of faith with martyrdom. Melissa faced death with unwavering courage, as one walking toward glory, receiving the eternal crown reserved for holy martyrs.