Saint Albina

According to the Roman Martyrology, Saint Albina was a young woman from Caesarea, Palestine,^[2] who died a martyr in the third century, during the reign of the emperor Decius, ca. 250. There are two conflicting traditions: one, the Greek tradition, is that she died in Caesarea; another, cited in the Martyrology, states that she was brought to Italy^[3] and was killed in the town of Formia.^[2] Her remains are kept in the cathedral of the Italian city of Gaeta. According to the Greek tradition, they were miraculously transported there.^[3] This is the Saint Albina depicted in the picture, venerated as a saint in Italy. Her feast day is 16 December.^[1]

Another Albina, who died on 4 March 387, was the mother of Saint Marcella. The Bollandists Henchenius and Papenbroch (of the Acta Sanctorum) did not consider her inclusion in the calendar properly supported by authority. Athanasius of Alexandria may have stayed at her house in Rome.^[1] Another Albina is said to have been martyred in Rome "with many others", according to the Acta Sanctorum. Her feast day is 17 February.^[1]