early 4th century
Saint Domna of Nicomedia
A pagan priestess in Nicomedia who, after reading the Epistles of the Apostle Paul, was baptised together with her servant Indes and, according to the Synaxarion, was beheaded in the persecution of Maximian.
Biography
Domna was a pagan priestess at the temple of the Twelve Gods in Nicomedia under Maximian. Reading the Epistles of the Apostle Paul opened her spiritual eyes, and she was baptised a Christian, together with her servant Indes, by Cyril, bishop of Nicomedia.
From then on she gave her wealth, and even goods from the palace, to the poor, until she was denounced; to avoid punishment she feigned madness, and afterwards, dressed as a man, secretly buried the bodies of martyrs.
When Maximian returned to Nicomedia and learned she had become a Christian, he ordered her arrest; unable to find her, he ordered a general massacre of Christians, among whom she was recognised and beheaded.