legends

Legend has it that… According to Antioco Martis, Canon of XVI-XVII cent. A.D., basing upon a chronicle of IV cent. A.D. Giusta was born in Emperor Adrian’s day (c. 117-138 A.C.) at Æden (traditional name for Othoca Othoca), citadel situated upon the eastern shore of the actual Pond of Santa Giusta, by an aristocratic family. At only 12 years-old She christianized and was educated by Octaten (Ottazio), Bishop of the citadel. Her mother, Cledonia, fervent heathen, made shut up her in the prison beneath their dwelling and meted out her terrible tortures. At Giusta befallen singular miracles, which convinced the mother to set her free. Some authorities tell that shortly after her freeing her mother died, and her two maidservant – Giustina and Enedina – knew about Giusta’s christianization and they wanted to follow Giusta’s example. A noble man of Æden called Claudius (Claudio) became besotted with Giusta ask for her hand, but her refused because humbly devoted to God. He tried to get her in every way, even having recourse to a magician called Cebrianus (Cebriano). Giusta felt strange feeling and called for divine help, whereupon the earth quaked violently and a huge quantity of water submerged the citadel, leaving died the nobleman, the magician and all the others heathen idolater. Others tells that Claudius tried to abduct Giusta, but abductors were led astray by a May’s morning dense fog – which sometimes one says it presents itself again – therefore, Claudius turned to an enchanter. On that Giusta’s mother – according to this authority still alive in this moment – having had enough of this situation, shut up her daughter in the prison under their house again. It was the 13th of May and Giusta, while recited desperately the prayers begging God to let her die, her words were listened. The day after, her dead body was buried in the prison beneath the family dwelling. At a short distance by the death of Giusta, Giustina and Enedina died, and were buried beside the dead body of the first one. The day in which is paid cult to the Saint is the 14th of May, extended to the 15th also for the Saints Giustina and Enedina. In Sardinia the cult for Santa Giusta is testified to in some countries: Calangianus, Chiaramonti, Gesico, Loiri, Porto San Paolo and Uta. To the Saint are dedicated 11 churches over the whole Sardinia, among which the most important – because of the cult and architecturally speaking – is that of Santa Giusta. One has evidence of the fact that, during the Saracens invasions, the saint remains were brought to Cagliari in the Church of Santa Restituita. And according to a starting millennium document, the relics of the Saint have returned to their own original Basilica on the 2nd May 2004, and now are exposed in the crypt. © All rights reserved. No parts of this publication can be reproduced, stored in a retrivial system or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical or photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author.