Feast of Saint Agatha
| Feast of Saint Agatha | |
|---|---|
A depiction of Saint Agatha with the palm of martyrdom | |
| Observed by | Anglicanism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Methodism, Reformed |
| Liturgical color | Red |
| Type | Christian |
| Significance | Feast day of Saint Agatha |
| Observances | Attending Mass or other service of worship |
| Date | February 5 in the Roman Rite
February 18 in the Byzantine Rite |
| Frequency | annual |
The Feast of Saint Agatha is an annual liturgical commemoration of Saint Agatha of Sicily (c. 231 – c. 251 AD), a Christian virgin martyr, celebrated on February 5 in the Roman Catholic Church and other Christian traditions. Rooted in the Roman Rite, the feast features a Mass and Divine Office enriched with Gregorian chant, honoring Agatha's martyrdom under the Decian persecution and her enduring legacy as a protector against fire, earthquakes, and bodily afflictions. One of the seven women named in the Canon of the Mass, her feast has evolved from early Christian veneration into a major cultural and religious event, particularly in Catania, Sicily, where it ranks among the world's largest religious festivals.