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Saint Balbina ((ラテン語:bahl-BEE-nə)), sometimes called ''Balbina of Rome'' and ''Balbina the Virgin'' is venerated as a virgin martyr and saint of the Roman Catholic Church. ==Legend== The story of Balbina is introduced in the legendary Acts of Sts. Alexander and Balbina,〔(acta SS., Maii, I, 367 sqq.)〕 where it is said that she was the daughter of Quirinus, a Tribune in the Roman Army.〔(Dufourcq, loc. cit., 175)〕 Usuardus speaks of her in his martyrology; his account of St. Balbina rests on the record of the martyrdom of St. Alexander. Legend has it that Quirinus was ordered to hold Pope Alexander I and a man named Hermes in prison because of their Christian faith. They were held in separate prisons that were a great distance apart, and both were shackled and well guarded. Quirinus was trying to convert Hermes back to the old gods, but promised to become a Christian if Hermes could prove that there was an after life. Hermes explained that Pope Alexander could make a better argument than he, and asked several times to visit his prison. At first Quirinus agreed to this, but after a while he became angry, convinced that these visits were frivolous excursions. He tightened the guard so that the two would not be able to speak with one other another. That night Hermes prayed, and an angel appeared to Pope Alexander, releasing his chains and bringing him to Hermes' prison cell.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Den katolske kirke — Den hellige Balbina av Roma ( -~130) )〕 The next morning Quirinus came to Hermes cell as usual, and he was shocked to find both men inside. His heart now open to what the two Christians had to say, he stayed and talked with the men for a while. Hermes shared his story and told of how the Pope with the help of God had raised his son from the dead. Hearing this, Quirinus said that his daughter Balbina had a large goiter, and if the Pope could heal her, he would believe and become a Christian. The Pope asked him to bring her to prison where he was held originally. ''"How can she find you there, when you're here with Hermes?"'' Quirinus asked. ''"He who brought me here, will also bring me back"'', replied the Pope. So Quirinus quickly returned home and brought his daughter to the prison where he had originally locked up Pope Alexander. There, they found Alexander patiently waiting for them, tightly shackled in the way he had been before. Seeing this, they knelt before him in reverence.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Den katolske kirke — Den hellige Balbina av Roma ( -~130) )〕 Full of devotion, Balbina started to kiss the links of the chains that the Pope was attached to. But he said to her: ''"You shall not kiss these chains, but go out and find St. Peter's chains. Once you've found them, kiss them with devotion and you will soon be well."''〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Den katolske kirke — Den hellige Balbina av Roma ( -~130) )〕 Knowing where Peter had been held before his martyrdom, Quirinus jumped up immediately and took Balbina with him, and there he found the chains. Balbina kissed them and was soon well. Quirinus immediately had Pope Alexander and Hermes pardoned and released. Along with his wife and daughter he was baptized by the Pope. Pope Alexander stipulated that the miracle of the chains should be celebrated from that day forward, and he built the church of the Apostle Peter, where the chains have been held ever since. The church he called "ad Vincula" ("in chains"), is today St. Peter in Chains.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Den katolske kirke — Den hellige Balbina av Roma ( -~130) )〕 Another account has Quirinus placed as the one ordered to execute Alexander and two others, Eventius, and Theodolus, who had been arrested by order of Trajan. Quirinus converted to Christianity, however, after witnessing miracles performed by these three saints, and he was baptized along with his wife, and daughter Balbina.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Saints.SQPN.com )〕 In both accounts, Quirinus was then arrested as a Christian and martyred through decapitation on March 30, 116. He was buried in the catacomb of Prætextatus on the Via Appia. His grave was later regarded with great veneration and is referred to in the old itineraries (guides for pilgrims) of the Roman catacombs. It is not fully known what happened to Balbina after the death of her father, but some accounts list her as living as a virgin recluse nun until her death in 130 A.D.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Saints.SQPN.com )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Saint Balbina」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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