AGATHA, ST., the patron saint of Catania, Sicily, where her festival is celebrated on Feb. 5. The legend is that she was a native of Sicily (probably of Catania, though Palermo also claims her) of noble birth and great beauty. She repelled the advances of the Roman prefect sent by the emperor Decius to govern Sicily, and was by his orders brutally tortured and finally sent to the stake. As soon as the fire was lighted an earthquake occurred and the people insisted on her release. She died in prison on Feb. 5, 251. The rescue of Catania from fire during an erup tion of Mt. Etna was later attributed to St. Agatha's veil.