The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Mercuria
d. AD 250 (killed by the sword) · Aged woman · Martyr · Alexandria
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Mercuria was
One of the four women who died with Ammonarium. Dionysius gives her four words — a very remarkable old woman — and no more.
Named once in Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History; no other ancient source names her.
Also listed in martyrs, women and the decian persecution.
Common questions
When did Mercuria die?
Mercuria is dated d. AD 250 (killed by the sword) in the archive, which places Mercuria in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).
Which early sources mention Mercuria?
Mercuria is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Dionysius of Alexandria. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Mercuria from?
The archive associates Mercuria with Alexandria.
Who were Mercuria’s contemporaries?
The archive links Mercuria to 2 other figures, including Ammonarium and Dionysia of Alexandria. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (1)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Letter to Fabius of Antioch, VI.41.18 — transmitted in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History (c. 325)
c. AD 251The others were Mercuria, a very remarkable old woman, and Dionysia, the mother of many children, who did not love her own children above the Lord.Dionysius of Alexandria · Ecclesiastical History VI.41.18 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 180 · The Scillitan martyrs, AD 180
- AD 190 · The Quartodeciman controversy, AD 190
- AD 202 · Perpetua and Felicity martyred, AD 202
- AD 235 · Maximinus Thrax targets the clergy, AD 235
- AD 250 · The Decian persecution, AD 250
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Mercuria.