Living the life of an angel in the flesh, Saint Agrippina devoted herself to purity and virginity seeing it as a foretaste of the delights of heaven. As such, she shone forth like a beacon light in Old Rome, and drew other women – both young and old – who hoped to imitate her way of life. The hatred of the pagans being aroused, they denounced her to the local authorities during Valerian’s persecution accusing her of rebellion against the state by way of refusing marriage and deceiving others to do the same. Appearing before the tribunal she said that she and her followers had indeed been betrothed, but it was to the heavenly Bridegroom. Beaten, stripped, and left to rot in chains, she was completely healed by angels. Fearful of her influence spreading, the authorities had her executed shortly thereafter, leaving her body in a field to be consumed by beasts. Her spiritual sisters, however, recovered the holy relics and transported them to Menes in Sicily, guided all the while by a pillar of fire as Israel of old. Her sweet-scented presence immediately drove out the demons of that place whom the locals worshipped as gods, the darkness of error being thereby dispersed. Her relics continued to work miracles of healing and deliverance for all those who venerated them with faith.
Hymnography
Christ our God doth give thee as most precious treasure to Sicily, who hadst striven in Rome for Him, O Martyr of Great renown; and in Rome abiding, thou dost drive away the dark demons’ vile and wicked throng by thine unceasing protection and thy care. And for this cause, O much-contending Agrippina, we call thee blest, and we celebrate on this day thy great contests in holiness.
(Lord, I have cried, Second Troparion; Vespers)
As Sicily receiveth the holy Martyr’s body, which hath flashed forth from Rome like a never-setting sun, it is delivered from the gloomy terror of demons.
(Ode Six, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)
The swords of the enemy were utterly enfeebled against thee, O Agrippina; and like cities without foundations, thou didst pull down his audacity with the bar of thy glorious contests.
(Ode Six, Third Troparion; Orthros Canon)
Night became as day for them that carried away thy relics, O Martyr; and when a place filled with sweet fragrance received thee, the array of the demons was mightily driven away and a flood of healings flowed forth unto them that supremely exalt Christ unto the ages.
(Ode Eight, First Troparion; Orthros Canon)