Regina (also called Queen or Reine) was a virgin and martyr of Autun and Alesia in Roman Gaul whose death is dated to either the Decian persecution (c. 251) or the persecution under Maximian (c. 286). Born in Autun to a pagan father named Clement, she lost her mother at birth and was entrusted to a Christian nurse who baptised her. She spent her early years as a shepherdess, growing in faith. When the Roman official Olybrius sought to marry her and demanded she renounce Christianity, she refused; she was consequently arrested, tortured — enduring the rack and fire according to hagiographic accounts — and finally beheaded at Alesia.
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3rd centuryBirth and early life in AutunRegina was born in Autun to a pagan father named Clement. Her mother died at her birth, and her father gave her to a Christian nurse who baptised her and raised her in the faith. She worked as a shepherdess.
c. 251 or 286Martyrdom at AlesiaAt approximately fifteen years of age, Regina refused the marriage proposal of the proconsul Olybrius on the grounds that accepting would require her to abandon Christianity. She was tortured — subjected to the rack, heated irons, and fire, according to the hagiographic tradition — and was finally beheaded at Alesia.
864Translation of relics to Flavigny AbbeyHer relics were transferred to Flavigny Abbey in 864, spreading her cult beyond the Burgundian region.
866 onwardAnnual commemoration at Alise-Sainte-ReineThe village of Alise-Sainte-Reine, named in her honour, has observed an annual procession and mystery play in her memory since at least 866, a tradition that continues into modern times.
Contributions & Legacy
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Veneration
Regina is venerated on 7 September (her feast in the Roman Martyrology and in Orthodox usage), though the Archdiocese of Paderborn observes her on 20 June. As a pre-schism martyr of the undivided Church she is commemorated in both the Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions.
The village of Alise-Sainte-Reine in Burgundy preserves her memory in name and in living practice: mystery plays re-enacting her passion have been performed there continuously since the ninth century. Her relics, translated to Flavigny Abbey in 864, drew pilgrims throughout the medieval period.
