Nunilo and Alodia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Nunilo and Alodia
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
Virgins and martyrs
Born	Huesca, Spain
Died	October 22, 851
Feast	October 22

Saints Nunilo and Alodia were two young Christian girls from Huesca, a city in Spain. They lived a long time ago, in the year 851. They are remembered as martyrs, which means they died for their Christian faith. Their story is found in old church records, like the Roman Martyrology. A writer named Saint Eulogius of Córdoba wrote about them in his book, Memoriale Sanctorum. He wrote about many Christian martyrs from that time.

Their Family and Faith

Nunilo and Alodia grew up in a wealthy family. Their mother was Christian, and their father was Muslim. This was common in Spain during that period. 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. This new stepfather was not as accepting of their Christian beliefs. He did not want them to go to church. He also wanted them to marry and become Muslim. Because of this, Nunilo and Alodia went 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 become Muslim. If they refused, they could be executed.

Nunilo and Alodia were asked many times to change their religion. They refused every time. So, they were arrested and held alone in prison. They were also pressured by many people to marry. But the sisters still said no to changing their faith.

Their Martyrdom

Because they would not give up their Christian beliefs, Nunilo and Alodia were executed. They were beheaded in Huesca, Spain, on October 22, 851. Their special day, or feast day, is celebrated every year on October 22.

Where Their Relics Are Now

After their deaths, the bodies of Nunilo and Alodia were moved. Some records say they were taken to the Leyre Monastery. Their relics, which are special remains, were kept in a beautiful container called the Leyre Casket. This casket was made around the year 1005.

Other records suggest their bodies were moved to Leyre in 880. The exact date is still discussed by historians. When the monastery closed in 1836, the relics of Nunilo and Alodia were moved again. They are now kept at San Ginés Church in Arrecife.

External links

• Image of Saints Nunilo and Alodia, on their way to martyrdom, statue on the Monastery of San Salvador of Leyre in Spain

See also

In Spanish: Nunilo y Alodia para niños