I recently came across the story of Saint Agatha. I have read her story a number of times from a variety of sources. I had planned to paraphrase her story here, but I am having a lot of trouble doing so.
She was a rich Christian woman in a time when Christians were persecuted. She must have been pretty. Some pagan guy (
Quintianus) with a position of leadership decided that he wanted her as either a wife or for an excuse to prove his might. She refused, so he sent her to a brothel where a mother (
Aphrodisia) rented out her daughters. Still, Agatha refused to participate. Some sources claim that Agatha was even able to convert Madame Mother to Christianity. Regardless, bad-leader-guy was furious, and so, he hung her by her arms from a tree. After this torture, Agatha still refused him, so he allowed his sadists to pour forth torture upon her breasts, eventually supposedly, having them cut from her. Agatha was then sent to a cell without food or medicine.
Still, she healed. Some accounts even say St. Peter came to her and restored her breasts. Bad-leader-guy was still furious with her rebellion, and so, ordered her to be rolled around naked on a bed of hot coals. During her torment, apparently, there was an earthquake which caused a wall to fall and crush her torturer (
Silvain). And, even though Agatha survived, she asked God to take her soul and then died anyways.
During the Middle Ages, I have read, religious artifacts and relics were particularly useful to bring in worshipers and their offerings. During this time a number of places, apparently, claimed to have pieces of Agatha.
So, I am not Catholic, or even Christian and it is possible that I am lacking the reverence for the tale that I should have. But, for a moment, let us harden ourselves - aye! - let us live in the illusion that such tortures exist only in tales. For such contemplation is far to great a weight to bear at all times. Let us think of this story as a fictional account. Under such circumstances, how would I categorize it? Probably as really bad erotic horror.
Why are there so many paintings of her, variously harrowed, presenting her breasts on a platter?
And, sure, I understand that the point of the tale is that her faith in God never waivers over the course of her torment. Let's disregard that point for a second. What else does this story teach us, I wonder? Are there other non-religious lessons, which are implied in this tale.
Okay. We are lucky and live in a time that makes sense with our advanced civilized notions. Women aren't condemned for their "piety", right?
Right?
