3rd century
Saints Cecilia, Valerian and Tiburtius
Third-century Roman martyrs: according to tradition, Cecilia brought her husband Valerian and his brother Tiburtius to the faith, and all three were put to death for confessing Christ.
Biography
Cecilia was born into a noble pagan family in Rome in the 3rd century, but came to love the teaching of Christ and was secretly baptised. Her parents married her to the nobleman Valerian, whom she managed to lead to the Christian faith; his brother Tiburtius was baptised along with him.
According to tradition, Cecilia had vowed virginity and persuaded Valerian to respect her vow by telling him that an angel of the Lord watched over her; when he was baptised and indeed saw the angel crowning her with roses and lilies, he too came to believe.
During Diocletian's persecution all three were arrested for their faith and their charitable work and were beheaded. Cecilia has since been venerated as the patron saint of music, since tradition holds that at her wedding she 'sang in her heart' to the Lord.