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Agatha of Sicily

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Saint Agatha (died c. AD 250) is a Christian saint. Her memorial day is February 5th.

Agatha was born in Sicily, at either Catania or Palermo and was martyred in approximately AD 250 at Catania.

According to variations of her legend, having rejected the amorous advances of an official, she was persecuted by him for her Christian faith. Among the tortures she underwent was the cutting off of her breasts. She is therefore often depicted iconographically carrying her excised breasts on a platter.

The shape of her amputated breasts gave rise to her attribute as patron saint of bell-founders. More recently she is venerated as patron saint of breast cancer patients.