AFRA, SANTA, MARTIRE

**AFRA, Saint, Martyr.** – Victim of the Diocletian persecution in Augusta (Augsburg). The *Conversio s. Afrae* presents her life as fabulous; however, the *Passio* from the 5th century is better known. From this *Passio*, some reliable details about the martyr can be gathered: she was a courtesan by profession; converted to Christianity but not yet baptized, she was condemned to be burned at the stake. The ancient cult of the martyr is attested by Venantius Fortunatus in his *Vita s. Martini*, IV, vv. 640-43, and by the *Martyrologium Hieronymianum* (7 Aug., with anticipation to the 5th and 6th of the same month). The *Roman Martyrology* records her on 5 Aug. In Augusta, at the site of her tomb, stands the very ancient church of SS. Ulrich and Afra.