Victor and Corona

Hagiography

Victor and Corona are two Christian martyrs whose hagiographical legend has been passed down through tradition. According to various sources, Victor was a Christian legionary from Cilicia (region of ancient Asia Minor), stationed in Egypt during the reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

### Early Life and Conversion

The exact place of Victor's origin is disputed among sources, with some indicating he came from Ocriculum (modern Otricoli) or Feltre. However, it is widely agreed that he was a Christian soldier who suffered martyrdom due to his public profession of faith.

### Martyrdom

Victor was denounced as a Christian to the tribunal of Roman Prefect Sebastian and subsequently sentenced to death in either 168 or 171 AD. The details of his torture are graphic and varied, including:

* All the joints of his body being broken
* Being thrown into a burning furnace for three days
* A magician administering a powerful poison twice through food
* Boiling oil being poured down his throat and over his entire body
* Being laid on the aculeus (a type of spiked instrument) with naked meat burned by torches
* Having a mixture of vinegar and live animals forced into his mouth
* Being blinded with sharp spikes

### Relationship with Corona

Corona, also known as Stefania or Stephana, was Victor's wife. According to tradition, she was 16 or 17 years old when she came to comfort her husband during his final moments. Her presence is said to have encouraged Victor to give his life for Christ, which ultimately led to his beheading.

### Veneration

Victor and Corona are venerated in relation to treasure searches and, since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic. Their hagiographical legend has been documented in various sources, including Le martyrogie d'Usuard (1867), p. 270.