Who was St Agnes?

Question

The one that already had a fountain dedicated to him when Good King Wencelas looked out

Answer 1

St. Agnes
St. Agnes was a Roman girl who was only thirteen years old when she suffered martyrdom for her Faith. Agnes had made a promise, a promise to God never to stain her purity. Her love for the Lord was very great and she hated sin even more than death! Since she was very beautiful, many young men wished to marry Agnes, but she would always say, "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse."

Procop, the Governor's son, became very angry when she refused him. He had tried to win her for his wife with rich gifts and promises, but the beautiful young girl kept saying, "I am already promised to the Lord of the Universe. He is more splendid than the sun and the stars, and He has said He will never leave me!" In great anger, Procop accused her of being a Christian and brought her to his father, the Governor. The Governor promised Agnes wonderful gifts if she would only deny God, but Agnes refused. He tried to change her mind by putting her in chains, but her lovely face shone with joy. Next he sent her to a place of sin, but an Angel protected her. At last, she was condemned to death. Even the pagans cried to see such a young and beautiful girl going to death. Yet, Agnes was as happy as a bride on her wedding day. She did not pay attention to those who begged her to save herself. "I would offend my Spouse," she said, "if I were to try to please you. He chose me first and He shall have me!" Then she prayed and bowed her head for the death-stroke of the sword.

Answer 2

Patron of young girls, St Agnes is often depicted holding a lamb. This is doubly significant, as Jesus is described as "the lamb of God" and the Latin word for a lamb (agnus) sound s like Agnes.
During the Middle ages the bulk of the population were illiterate, so pictures were needed to show the Bible stories and lives of the Saints - and each Saint holds something to indicate who they are. These pictures were painted around the inside walls of English churches and on icons. All of these were destroyed by Henry VIII.

Answer 3

SHE is the patron saint of chastity, gardeners, girls, engaged couples, rape victims and virgins.

Sempronius wanted Agnes to marry his son, and when she refused, he condemned her to death. Roman law did not permit the execution of virgins, so Sempronius had a naked Agnes dragged through the streets to a brothel. As she prayed, her hair grew and covered her body. It was also said that all of the men who attempted to rape her were immediately struck blind. When led out to die she was tied to a stake, but the bundle of wood would not burn, whereupon the officer in charge of the troops drew his sword and struck off her head, or, in some other texts, stabbed her in the throat.

Answer 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Agnes

According to her legend, Saint Agnes was a member of the Roman nobility born c. 291 and raised in a Christian family. She suffered martyrdom at the age of thirteen during the reign of the Eastern Roman Emperor Diocletian, on January 21, 304.

The prefect Sempronius wished Agnes to marry his son, and on Agnes' refusal he condemned her to death. Roman law did not permit the execution of virgins, Sempronius had a naked Agnes dragged through the streets to a brothel. As she prayed, her hair grew and covered her body. It was also said that all of the men who attempted to rape her were immediately struck blind. When led out to die she was tied to a stake, but the bundle of wood would not burn, whereupon the officer in charge of the troops drew his sword and struck off her head, or, in some other texts, stabbed her in the throat.

A few days after Agnes' death, a girl named Emerentiana was found praying by her tomb; she claimed to be the daughter of Agnes' wet nurse, and was stoned to death after refusing to leave the place and reprimanding the pagans for killing her foster sister. Emerentiana was also later canonized.

Agnes' bones are conserved in the church of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura in Rome, built over the catacomb that housed Agnes' tomb. Her skull is preserved in a side chapel in the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone in Rome's Piazza Navona.

Answer 5

St Agnes was a Woman.

Answer 6

Saint Agnes is the patron saint of chastity, gardeners, girls, engaged couples, rape victims and virgins. She is recognized by the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Catholic Churches. She is also acknowledged in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion as well as in Eastern Orthodoxy.

Answer 7

The only Agnes I know is the one from Cornwall. She who persuaded a lumbering giant to fill a never-ending pond with blood to save her village. Bizarre.

Answer 8

Don't know, but according to John Keats, it was 'bitter chill'.

Answer 9

seems the catholic church has a saint for all occasions . why do they need so many ? any for that matter ?