Saint Apollonia

Apollonia was an elderly Christian woman of Alexandria in Egypt, consecrated to God and respected for her service in the Church. Our knowledge of her comes from a letter of Bishop Dionysius of Alexandria, an eyewitness of the events, preserved by the historian Eusebius.

In 249, shortly before the persecution of Decius, a mob rose against the Christians of the city. They seized Apollonia and struck her repeatedly in the face, knocking out all her teeth. They then lit a fire outside the city and threatened to throw her into it unless she renounced her faith. After asking for a moment, she leapt into the flames herself rather than deny Christ. Saint Augustine and other Fathers explained that she acted under a special inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Because of her sufferings, Christians have long asked her help for toothaches and dental troubles.

In art she is shown holding pincers with a tooth. Dentists and dental students around the world honor her; in Mexico and other Latin American countries February 9 is celebrated as Dentists' Day.

In parts of Italy, Spain and Portugal, people once carried medals or prayed a short prayer to Santa Apolonia when suffering toothache.