Euthalia of Sicily

Euthalia was a young woman of Leontini (also given as Leontina) in Sicily, venerated as a virgin and martyr of the pre-Nicene era. According to her synaxarion account, she was raised in a pagan household and came to the Christian faith together with her mother, who was healed of a long-standing affliction after her conversion. Euthalia was put to death for openly confessing Christ. She is commemorated in the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic Churches on March 2.

The tradition centers on the conversion of Euthalia's family. Her mother, a pagan, had for a long while suffered from an issue of blood. By tradition, the martyrs Alphaeus, Philadelphus, and Cyprian — themselves connected with Sicily and commemorated on May 10 — appeared to the mother in a dream and told her she would be healed only if she believed in Christ and was baptized. After she and Euthalia were baptized, the mother was healed of her infirmity.

The household's conversion provoked a violent reaction from Euthalia's brother, named in the sources as Sirmianus (also Sermilianus). When he learned of the baptism he turned against his mother and sister; the mother fled the family home, while Euthalia chose to remain despite threats. She declared herself a Christian and was prepared to die for the faith. After enduring torment she was beheaded by her brother.