SAINT ALEXANDRA, MARTYR, THE EMPRESS, WIFE OF DIOCLETIAN 9524
The Holy Empress Alexandra was the wife of Emperor Diocletian. St. Alexandra raised her daughter St Valeria in Christian piety. Emperor Maximinus sought her hand in marriage. When St. Valeria refused, he banished her to Syria, where she lived with her mother. After the death of Maximinus in 311 AD the mother and daughter arrived in Nicomedia, trusting in the mercy of Emperor Licinius. Licinius gave orders to execute the holy Empress Alexandra and her daughter, Valeria. They were beheaded, and their bodies thrown into the sea.