Saint Cecilia (2nd-3rd century) is a Christian martyr and the patron saint of musicians. Born into a noble Roman family, she was forced to marry a pagan, Valerian, but revealed to him her vow of chastity. Touched, he converted to Christianity with his brother Tiburtius. Denounced, they were executed, and Cecilia was in turn condemned. After several unsuccessful attempts at execution, she died after three days of agony. She has been venerated since the first centuries and is associated with music because of a passage in her legend where she sings God in her heart. Her feast day is celebrated on November 22.
