St Eulalia

Child martyr. She was one of the early Christian martyrs of Spain. The daughter of a noble family, during the persecutions of the Emperor Diocletian, Eulalia refused to make sacrifices to the gods and was burnt alive at Merida in around 304. She was said to be only about 12 years old.

The Spanish poet Prudentius wrote that a white dove flew over her as she died and snow covered her dead body.

Many churches and monasteries were dedicated to her, notably in Toledo, Cordoba, and Barcelona. Palma Cathedral in Majorca has five 14th century paintings of her. She has also been venerated for centuries in north Africa, Italy and England.