The martyrdom of Saint Nicander and Saint Marcian also gives rise to that of Saint Daria, who, three days after her husband Nicander’s passion, suffered the same persecution and, by order of the same governor, also received the crown of martyrdom. This is stated by the author of the Martyrology, printed in Lyon during the pontificate of Gregory XIII:
“Nicandro’s wife, having followed her husband, also received the crown of martyrdom three days later.”
Cardinal Baronio, in his notes, following and quoting Pietro de Natalibus, states:
“Daria, Nicandro’s wife, who had encouraged her husband to accept martyrdom, was herself sentenced to death three days later.”
Paolo Regio, Pietro Paolo Florii and other authors also confirm this account.
The sources do not state with certainty the place where the body of this glorious martyr of Christ was buried after her death. However, Filippo Ferrario, drawing on the *Passione di San Nicandro e San Marciano*, maintains that her body was laid to rest in the town of Atina. This is also recorded in the *Indice Topografico del Catalogo dei Santi d’Italia*:
“At Atina, in Lazio: Nicandro, Marciano and Daria, martyrs, 17 June.”
The catalogue also contains the following description:
“Saint Daria, martyr at Atina, wife of Saint Nicander, who, having been imprisoned with her husband and then released, followed him to his execution and encouraged him to face it with courage. Eager to obtain the palm of martyrdom and taking pride in being the wife of a martyr, she achieved what she had hoped for: indeed, three days later, she was captured by the enemies of the faith and suffered martyrdom by beheading on 12 June.”
Similarly, it can be inferred from the *Chronicle of the City of Atina*, as recorded by Ferdinando Ughelli, that Saint Daria was buried in this very city following her martyrdom. Indeed, the text reads:
“Solomon VI, Bishop of Atina, a man of great eloquence, having gathered together the relics of the holy martyrs Nicander and Marcian, as well as those of Marcus the Prefect and Pancras, also added those of Saint Daria. He built a small shrine over these bodies and erected an altar there. He also had a church built in honour of Pancrazio and Daria at the place called ‘Horrea’, in a villa situated there, which is still known today as ‘Broila’.”
As there are no other authoritative sources claiming that Saint Daria was a native of the town or was buried there, it is believed with reasonable certainty that her body rests in the town of Atina.
Text freely adapted from *Memorie istoriche dell’antica città d’Atina* by Tauleri Bonaventura, 1702
