St. Apollonia

Apollonia was a consecrated virgin in Alexandria, Egypt. She was held in high esteem by the populace and a letter written by Dionysius the bishop of Alexander suggests that she was a deaconess. In 248 or 249, rioting arose against the Christians in Alexandria. Some were put to death and the houses of many Christians were pillaged. Apollonia was seized and her teeth were knocked out. The men built a fire and threatened to throw Apollonia into it if she did not repeat some blasphemous words. She refused and threw herself into the fire without waiting for them to do so. Apollonia is the patroness of toothache suffers and dentists. Her feast is February 9.