The idea that there actually is a martyr named Corona, who is also supposed to be the patron saint of epidemics in the Catholic Church, is just as seductive as many other currently rampant "theories" based on research on the Internet. The fact is: in the cathedral treasury of Aachen, her bones are kept in a very elaborate goldsmith's work in the form of a shrine. Whether these are really the bones of this legendary woman, who is said to have lived in the 2nd or 3rd century after the birth of Christ, remains a matter of faith, as is the case with many Christian legends. As an atheist and cineast, however, I am fascinated by such myths, which were often embellished with a lot of blood and horror in order to leave a lasting impression on the believers and, of course, on their wallets. Saint Corona is also available for the most part as a patron saint in financial matters, for treasure hunters and butchers. The fact that pilgrims like to invoke her against cattle plagues has now earned her fame as the patron saint of plagues!
What shocked me more than the coincidence of her name with the current pandemic was her manner of death. She is always depicted with two palms. The Romans bent two palm trees to the ground, tied the young woman to them and while she was shooting up... well, you can guess the rest.
So raise your glass to this young woman and thank whoever, that hopefully such atrocities will never happen again. On top of that, this gem makes a wonderful summer necklace, with the palm trees and an ice-cold drink in hand, let's hope for the best!
