She is said to have lived in the 3rd century and to have suffered martyrdom during the persecution of Diocletian but all information about her comes from a vita written not earlier than the 6th century. Later oral tradition has supplemented this with sometimes conflicting detail.
The simplest version of her legend is that she belonged to a family of high status: her father Calpurnius was prefect of the city of Rome (praefectus Urbis). Olympiadis, a high official, attempted to seduce her but was converted by her to the Christian faith, for which he was martyred. She then left her family to devote herself to prayer in seclusion, near the city of Amelia in Umbria, where she suffered martyrdom during the persecution of Diocletian and was buried.
Other versions claim that she was martyred and buried in Civitavecchia.
Many miracles are attributed to her, one of which occurred during a sea passage to Centumcellae, the present Civitavecchia, when a sudden violent storm was calmed by her miraculous intervention. Firmina is said to have lived for a time in a grotto near the port, over which was later built the Forte Michelangelo.
This relic measures 2" x 1.4" and is .60" deep. It is in FABULOUS condition and was made long ago with serious craftmanship. The center has a bone on a silver star and a shell. Around the relic is a single row of gold metalic twine. The bottom is adorned with beautiful cut work and the name of the Saint. EX OSS S. FIRMINAE. The Latin term ex ossibus or ex oss translates to "from the bones". In the Catholic church, relics are often obtained from a saint's bones, which are referred to as ex ossibus. The shell beneath it refers to the miracle at sea she is said to have performed. The back is sealed with a red cording and a red wax seal. We purchased this reliquary from an antique dealer in Italy and is but one piece of the collection we were able to purchase.
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