Flavia Domitilla (saint)

Flavia Domitilla († end 1./Anfang second century on the island of Ventotene? ) Was a member of the House of Flavian, Christian martyr and saint.

Life

Flavia Domitilla was daughter of Domitilla the Younger and consul Titus Flavius ​​Clemens wife of, her cousin, who was executed at the instigation of the emperor Domitian, his uncle, in the year 95, but probably not, because he was a Christian.

Cassius Dio describing the events at a distance of more than 100 years, is the first that explains Flavius ​​Clemens, the accusation of impiety been made, which is often accused the Christians from the Roman point of view (and the Jews ). Suetonius, however, the emperor biographies were written in the 120 's, only reported Flavius ​​Clemens was executed " because of a very slight suspicion ," suggesting that Domitian has chosen a pretext here to get rid of a throne rivals. The widow of the consul, Flavia Domitilla, had been so, on the island Pandateria (today Ventotene ) banished Cassius Dio in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Eusebius of Caesarea reported, a niece of Flavius ​​Clemens named Flavia Domitilla was (now Ponza ) been banished because of their Christianity to the island Pontia; respect of the island is probably above confusion with Pandataria - both islands are part of the Pontine Islands. The wording of the description of Eusebius claimed would be two of the same relatives of the consul, who both had been exiled to the Pontine Islands. In fact probably lies before an editorial error of Eusebius, so it is in truth only a woman is, the wife of the Consul.

St. Jerome says, Flavia Domitilla this ( he abandons any indication exact relationship ) have suffered on Pandataria a long martyrdom. This Domitilla also be assigned to the so-called Domitilla catacombs south of Rome. It is possible that Flavia Domitilla has survived the Emperor Domitian, and therefore could return after 98 years to Rome. Flavia Domitilla had seven children, two sons died in childhood.

The legend that Flavia Domitilla ordered by Emperor Trajan in front of the judge Minutius Rufus, was then tortured and finally beheaded, is not further substantiated and later date.

Worship

The veneration as a saint based on the interpretation that the accusation of impiety, Domitian rose against her and her husband, was tantamount to the acceptance of the Christian faith. Memorial of Flavia Domitilla is May 7 The bones of Flavia Domitilla wants Cardinal Baronius have found; Relics of the saints are kept in the church of Santi Nereo e Achilleo on the side of the relics of Saints Nereus and Achilleus, said to have been the chamberlains of Flavia Domitilla, but are actually probably only died during Diocletian's persecution of Christians. Also Limoges and Ellwangen preserve relics, which are attributed to the Flavia Domitilla.