Nunilo and Alodia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintNunilo and Alodia |
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Carving of Nunilo and Alodia on the collegiate church of Alquézar. The base of the carving reads "Nonyla", but her sister's name has been broken off
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| Virgins and martyrs | |
| Born | Huesca, Spain |
| Died | October 22, 842 |
| Feast | October 22 |
Saints Nunilo and Alodia (who were also called Nunilone and Alódia) were two young sisters from Huesca, a city in north-eastern Spain. They lived a long time ago, around the year 842. They are known as martyrs, which means they died because of their Christian faith.
Their story is included in important religious books like the Roman Martyrology and the calendars of the Mozarabic rite. A writer named Saint Eulogius of Córdoba wrote about them in 851. Even though Nunilo and Alodia were from Huesca, their story was added to the records of martyrs from Cordoba. Eulogius's writings help us understand how families with different religions lived together during the early Islamic period in Spain.
Early Life and Family
Nunilo and Alodia grew up in a wealthy family. Their mother was Christian, and their father was Muslim. This was common during that time, and their family was an example of a "mixed marriage." Their father allowed them to be raised in their mother's Christian faith.
After their father passed away, their mother married another important Muslim man. However, this new stepfather was not as accepting of their Christian beliefs. He did not want them to go to church and insisted they convert to Islam and get married. To protect them, Nunilo and Alodia were sent to live with their Christian aunt in a place called Castile.
Facing a Difficult Choice
In 851, a ruler named Abd ar-Rahman II made a new rule. This rule said that all Christian children who had a Muslim father had to change their religion to Islam. If they refused, they could be put to death.
Nunilo and Alodia were arrested because they would not convert. They were put in solitary confinement, which means they were kept alone. People also tried to make them change their minds by introducing them to women who might influence them, and many men tried to convince them to marry.
Martyrdom and Legacy
Despite all the pressure, Nunilo and Alodia bravely refused to give up their Christian faith. Because of their strong beliefs, they were beheaded in Huesca, Spain, on October 22, 842. Their special day, or feast day, is celebrated every year on October 22.
After their deaths, the bodies of Nunilo and Alodia were moved to the Leyre Monastery. Their holy remains, called relics, were kept in a special container called the Leyre Casket. This casket was made around the year 1005. Some people believe their bodies were moved to the monastery in 880, but the exact date is not completely clear.
Later, in 1836, the Leyre Monastery was closed. Because of this, Nunilo and Alodia's relics were moved again, this time to the San Ginés Church in Arrecife.
See also
- Martyrs of Córdoba
