Apollonia, an Aged Virgin, in the Year 252

Apollonia was an aged virgin. The enemies of the truth seized her, and with their fists and with blows to the face knocked every tooth out of her head. Meanwhile a large fire of wood was kindled, and they threatened to burn her alive if she would not worship the gods and forsake Christ. But in spite of this miserable death, she would rather go into the fire and lose her temporal life than save it by abandoning Christ and losing her soul.

Concerning the manner of her death, and her great willingness to die, A. Mellinus makes this statement: "This virgin was sentenced to be burned, or to blaspheme the name of Christ; but since she abhorred the latter, she wanted to show that she was ready and willing to die for Christ." See Eusebius, Mellinus, and Gysius, in the books and on the pages referred to in connection with the martyrdom of Metras and Cointha.