Saint Foi, Virgin and Martyr - 2nd-3rd century

St. Foy's martyrdom at the age of twelve has been variously reported as occurring in 287 or 303 in the town of Agen in Gaul.  The legend is that the proconsul Dacien had her placed on a hot griddle, but a dove flew down from Heaven to extinguish it so he had her beheaded instead.  Thus, in portraits her attributes are a dove and a griddle or gridiron, as well as a crown. In one statuette she also holds the sword with which she was beheaded.

"Foy" or "Foi" is French for "faith."  St. Foy is known in England as St. Faith, in Spanish-speaking countries as Santa Fe, in some Latin-leaning sources as St. Fides.

Feast day: October 6

At left, detail from the west tympanum of the Church of St. Foi, Conques, France

Other images:
Statue from St. Marcel, Aveyron

Hagiography:
    see The Book of St. Foy

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