5th century
Saint Apollinaria the Senator's Daughter
The daughter of a senior Roman official who gave up her wealth for an ascetic life in Alexandria.
Biography
Apollinaria lived in the fifth century as the daughter of Anthemius, a senior Roman official. Renowned for her beauty and good judgement, she travelled to the Holy Land and there freed all her slaves.
She settled in Alexandria, living an ascetic life and becoming known in women's monastic circles for her wisdom. When her sister fell ill, tradition holds that she healed her through prayer; she then returned to her retreat, where she died in peace.