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december 1. natalia, who oversaw her own husband's martyrdomWhen Natalia heard that her husband was soon to be martyred, she rejoiced. She adorned herself in fine clothes, and ran to the prison where she kissed the very chains that bound him. She said to her husband in prison: Do not regret anything earthly, neither beauty, nor youth, nor riches. Everything worldly is dust and ashes.
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december 4. barbara, protectress against sudden deathBarbara came out to her father as a Christian. He begged her to reconsider, but when he presented her with idols she "scratched them in their visages." Outraged, her father withdrew his sword to kill her, but her prayers created an opening in the tower wall and she was transported to a mountain gorge where shepherds watched their flocks.
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december 11. eulalia of merida, patron of snow days and torture victimsHer frightened mother sequestered her in the countryside, but Eulalia slipped off in the night and tried to remonstrate with Judge Dacian of Merida. She professed herself a Christian, insulted the pagan gods, and dared the authorities to martyr her.
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DECEMBER 25. EUGENIA/EUGENIOS, WHO WAS BEHEADED ON CHRIST'S BIRTHDAYEugenia (referred to henceforth as Eugenios) continued to live as a man and later became an abbot. By some accounts, Eugenios lived undetected in a monastery of men; by others, Eugenios lived in seclusion because, upon arriving at the monastery, the abbot found "no trace of masculinity in the applicant's lowered voice."
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december 31. columba of sens, whose protectress was a she-bearThe emperor wanted Columba and the she-bear to be burnt up alive, but the animal freed herself and abundant rains / a heaven-sent downpour put out the fire. The she-bear refused to part ways until Columba dismissed her protectress, and then (when Columba was no longer shielded) the Emperor had her beheaded.
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