Commemorated February 8
Saint Cynthia, also known as Cointha or Quinta, was an Egyptian girl who was martyred in Alexandria in 249 AD during the persecutions of Emperor Trajanus Decius. She was put to death for refusing to worship idols by having her feet tied to a horse and being dragged through the streets.
The name Cynthia is of Greek origin and means "from Mount Cynthus" on Delos island. It was originally an epithet for the Greek goddess Artemis, who was said to have been born on Mount Cynthus. Selene, the Greek moon goddess, and Diana, the Roman goddess, were also sometimes called "Cynthia".