Known as Margaret of Antioch or Margaret the Virgin, St. Margaret was born in Antioch (present day Turkey) in the late 3rd century. She was chastised by her pagan father for her Christian beliefs and had the audacity to rebuff a marriage proposal from a powerful Roman governor because this offer came with a demand: renunciation of her faith. She refused. As a result, Margaret was tortured and beheaded. Her legend and cult spread in the Middle Ages which served to popularize her name. One of the most popular legends connected to Margaret told of her being swallowed by a dragon, but because she had been carrying the cross of Jesus, the dragon spit her out – having been irritated by the cross. The widespread and enduring success and staying power of the name Margaret is owed to this old saint. The so-called “Virgin Martyrs†like Margaret of Antioch were particularly favored in medieval times, such as St. Catherine of Alexandria, The Great Martyr Barbara, St. Cecelia of Rome, St. Agnes of Rome and St. Susanna.
