Saints Justa and Rufina

Life story

The oldest evidence about Justa and Rufina is brief. The Martyrologium Hieronymianum names only Justa; Rufina appears later, in martyrologies that draw on legendary Acts. The Catholic Encyclopedia still treats both as genuine martyrs of the Spanish church, with the detail belonging to legend.

According to the legend, the sisters were potters in Seville, near Triana. The story says they were arrested for refusing to worship an idol, named Salambo in the Catholic Encyclopedia's entry on Seville, and died for their faith. Because only Justa appears in the oldest martyrology, the growth of the story around two sisters is better read as popular tradition than as a reliable record. The year of death is usually given as 287, but this date is uncertain and is better read as the late third century.

Their feast is 19 July. In Seville they are often shown beside the Giralda tower; this belongs to popular belief and art, not to documented history.

Works and witness

• In legend, worked as potters in Seville
• Said to have died for refusing to worship an idol, around the late third century (the year 287 is uncertain)
• The Martyrologium Hieronymianum names only Justa
• Counted by the Catholic Encyclopedia among the historical martyrs of the Spanish church

Patron of

City of Seville, Potters

Saints from the same country

Saint Dominic, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Francis Xavier

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent), 'Sts. Rufina' (entry on Justa and Rufina)
• Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent), 'Seville'

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.