Saint Iria
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| Saint Iria | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Died | 7th century |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | October 20 |
| Attributes | palm of martyrdom |
| Patronage | Tomar, Portugal |
 Saints Portal |
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Saint Iria (also Saint Irene; (Portuguese) Santa Iria) was a — probably mythical — martyr of the Visigothic church in Portugal.
She was a born into a powerful family in Nabância (Tomar) in the 7th century. She was beloved of Prince Britaldo but told him that she had given herself to God and had decided to become a nun.
Britaldo was distraught at being turned down in this way. Meanwhile her spiritual mentor Remigius (Remígio) made improper advances which she spurned and in anger he gave her a potion that made her appear pregnant.
Thinking she had deceived him, the angry Britaldo ordered the young woman's death and her body was thrown in the River Nabão. It was later washed up uncorrupted in Scalabis (Santarém) in a miraculous marble tomb.
She is the patron saint of Tomar, and Santarém is named after her.
[edit] External links
- (Italian) Sant' Irene del Portogallo
