Saint Eulalia of Barcelona - Virgin and Martyr

SAINT EULALIA was born in Barcelona, Spain near the end of the third century.  Her life was the first historical evidence that Christianity had reached Spain.  The pagan Roman Governor Diocietianus-Maximianus seized her and brought her for trial.  Under intensive interogation he gave her the option of denying that Jesus Christ was Lord or face death.  This 13 year old girl was steadfast in her faith and accepted death to become Spain's first Christian Martyr.

Her Martyrdom proved to be the spark which ignited the flame of Christianity that spread like wildfire throughout Spain.  This was at a time prior to the Council of Nicea 325 A.D. when the church itself finally ratified the Divinity of Jesus Christ.

Her relics were hidden and miraculously found after Almanzur and his Arab invaders from Africa who in 711 A.D. burned and sacked any found evidence of Christianity including all churches.

In 1298, construction of the new splendid and majestic Gothic Cathedral began and a new alabaster sarcophagus was completed by an unnamed Italian sculptor from Pisa.  In 1339 her remains were transferred to the magnificent sarcophagus at the base of the high altar. In her honor, an event was held and  attended by kings, princes, nobles, and bishops from throughout Europe. 

Later in 1493, Christopher Columbus returned from America to Barcelona to be honored by the council of Bishops at the Cathedral and he planned the spread of Christianity from Spain into the New World - a further extension of Saint Eulalia's martyrdom.

In 1983, Pope John Paul visited Barcelona to pay homage to Saint Eulalia.  Today, tens of thousands visit her crypt each year.

Saint Eulalia's commitment to unshakable faith and purity is a legacy to be revered by those who would honor her name.  Our Church of Saint Eulalia in Winchester, Massachusetts was dedicated on May 23, 1966 with Monsignor Joseph Lyons as Pastor.

Researched in Barcelona by William L. Wilson, 1985.