Biography
Antia of Illyria
About Antia of Illyria
Antia is remembered as the mother of Eleutherius and a Christian martyr. The Greek Passion describes her remaining beside her son at his death and being killed herself. This is the text’s story, not established history.
Franchi de’ Cavalieri compared Greek and Latin versions. He judged the detailed narrative legendary and traced changes connecting Eleutherius with different places. He considered composition before the fifth century unlikely. This dates the surviving story, rather than Antia’s life.
Hippolyte Delehaye also discussed how religious images might have shaped scenes in the Passion. He noted a possible connection between its animals and familiar imagery of Orpheus. This is a scholarly explanation of a story, not evidence that Antia witnessed such events.
Greek Orthodox liturgy names her Anthia and commemorates her on 15 December beside Eleutherius. The Orthodox Church in America uses the name Evanthia for the mother in the same group.
The Catholic Church in Norway lists the group’s commemoration on 18 April. Her remembrance survives alongside her son’s, while the detailed chronology remains uncertain.
Wondering how to weigh the stories and sources? Learn how to read a saint biography.