SAINT JUSTINA, virgin and martyr. — Greatly venerated in northern Italy, she is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on 7 October. The earliest testimony concerning her is that of Venantius Fortunatus, who mentions the church of St Justina in Padua built over her tomb and adorned with paintings (*Vita S. Martini*, IV, 67a ff.).
According to an inscription, this church is said to have been built between the 5th and 6th centuries by a certain Opilo, Praetorian Prefect; beside it there developed a flourishing Benedictine monastery. The *Passio*, written by a self-styled eyewitness, dates from before the 10th century but is entirely devoid of historical value. Justina is said to have died during the persecution of Diocletian, condemned to beheading by the emperor Maximian, and thus before the year 305.