Saint Cointha of Alexandria – Early Christian Martyr and Saint

ST. COINTHA

Saint Cointha of Alexandria was a 3rd-century Christian martyr who suffered a brutal death for refusing to renounce her faith under Emperor Decius. She is remembered for her courage and is honored on February 8.

Saint Cointha of Alexandria, also known as Quinta, Cointa, or Cynthia, was a Christian martyr who lived during the 3rd century in Alexandria, Egypt, a time when Christians faced intense persecution under the Roman Empire. Her story is tied closely to the reign of Emperor Decius, who ruled from 249 to 251 and launched one of the earliest empire-wide campaigns to suppress Christianity. The emperor issued a decree requiring all citizens to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods and obtain a certificate proving their compliance. For Christians like Cointha, this was a direct violation of their religious beliefs.

Refusing to renounce her faith or make offerings to the Roman deities, Cointha was arrested and brought before the pagan temple. Despite the threats and violence she faced, she remained resolute. According to historical sources, when she refused to comply, she was subjected to a horrifying execution. She was tied by the feet and dragged through the crowded streets of Alexandria. Other accounts suggest she was dragged by a horse or tied to it, suffering immense pain and injuries as her body was torn across the rough ground. Ultimately, she succumbed to this brutal form of torture. As if her suffering wasn’t enough, her corpse was then stoned by the angry mob, showing the extent of the hostility early Christians endured.

Her martyrdom was documented by Saint Dionysius of Alexandria, a notable Christian bishop and scholar who witnessed the persecution and later chronicled the events in a letter addressed to Bishop Fabian of Antioch. Dionysius' writings offer one of the earliest testimonies to her faith and sacrifice, solidifying her place among the honored martyrs of the Church.

Although Cointha was never formally canonized by the Church through modern procedures, she is recognized as a saint in the Catholic tradition as part of the pre-congregation era. Saints from this period were venerated by early Christian communities without a formal process, and their sanctity was affirmed through widespread devotion and acknowledgment of their holy lives and martyrdom.

Today, Saint Cointha is remembered for her unwavering faith and steadfastness in the face of intense persecution. Her feast day is commemorated on February 8. She stands as a symbol of resistance to religious coercion and of the strength found in spiritual conviction. Though little else is known about her life before martyrdom, her death serves as a powerful testament to the resolve of the early Christian martyrs who laid the foundation for the Christian faith to endure and flourish.

Feast Day

8-2-

Birth Date

--

Died Date

8-2-249 AD

Canonised Date

--Pre-congregation

Alexandria, Egypt (exact site unknown)

O glorious martyr Saint Cointha, who remained faithful in the face of cruelty and death, intercede for us that we may also stand firm in our faith. Grant us courage, purity of heart, and love of truth, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
ST. COINTHA

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ST. COINTHA

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Anudina Visudhar (Malayalam) – Life of Saints for Everyday
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Saint Companions for Each Day
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