Who was the Patroness of Music & Musicians?

In the previous posts about Female Composers ("Women will be Women: Female Composers", Part I & Part II), it has mentioned that the information about female composers have been vanished from music history, due to societal constructions. To continue the search for female composers in music history, I would like to highlight a very dedicated woman, who definitely deserves to be mentioned cause of her (re)markably important role. She deserves to be remembered! In this post would like to introduce you to The Patroness of Music & Musicians:    Saint Cecilia.

There is limited information about the biography of Cecilia. Although there is information about the role she had in the development of music, musicians and festivals.
TRIGGER warning: There are topics spoken about martyrdom, death and religion.

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We'll go back to the times of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire came before Christianity.
The Roman Empire was simply said a "kingdom", ruled over the Mediterranean, Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. The leader of this "kingdom" was Severus Alexander, when Saint Cecilia was living.
During this time, the music was called 'Roman Music', although it was heavily influenced by Greek traditions. The Greek music theory and practises were absorbed into the Roman Culture, although the Roman music was more focussed on the role of music in performance instead of theoretical aspects. A lot of singing and vocal music was heard in this period of time. Also music string instruments have been found, like the Lyre&Cithara.

Christianity began to spread within the Roman Empire during the year 100, although it was not the dominant religion. Early Christians faced persecution for not participating in the way of religious rituals and Roman laws made by the Roman Empire. As you see, this was a conflicting time and many people faced death. (In 301-400 Christianity took over).
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As we look at the story of Saint Cecilia, there is information available about the period of 220 and 235. She might have been a young woman, a teenager or in her early twenties at that time. (And in this time marriages were held from 12 years old till early 20s).

(Saint) Cecilia has been born and raised in a noble Roman family. Even so, she had dedicated herself to God (Christianity) by taking a vow of chastity: She had chosen to stay single, a virgin. According to Cecilia, she believed she was under the protection of an angel who would guard her purity.

Her family was not really buying into that story: This was very unusual for someone from her social class. Her Roman family forced arranged a marriage with the Roman nobleman called Valerian. The day was set: November 22th.

During the wedding ceremony, Cecilia sat apart. She sang in her heart to the Lord (God). Hymns to God, which reflected her deep personal devotion and praise to God and her desire to remain spiritually pure. Through songs, she was devoted to God: Musical Devotion.
Cecilia's inner song became a symbol of sacred music and worship. It was a metaphor for how music can be an act of worship and a way to connect with the devine; The spiritual power of music. (Later on this became a central part of the Christian culture).
That's why people called her the Saint of Music & Musicians.
When the time came to marry Valerian, Cecilia told Valerian about her vow: The angel would watch over her and the angel would not allow her to be with anyone else. 'The angel of the Lord' would punish him if he sexually violated her and would love him if he respected her virginity. Of course Valerian was a bit sceptical, (coming from a Roman background), so he asked if he could see this angel. Cecilia told him that it was possible, but in order to do that, he must go to the Pope Urban I to be baptized. Valerian agreed to respect her vow and followed Cecilia's advise. The two became married in a Christian ceremony.
Since their marriage, Valerian became a partner-in-crime and helped Cecilia in her mission. After Valerian, his brother Tiburtius devoted his life to Christianity. Tiburtius organised Christian activities and Saint Cecilia continued to talk to people and promote Christianity. They gathered many new followers to help the Christians in this difficult time. Valerian even respectfully helped burying the Christian martyrs who had been executed for their faith.
During this time, Christianity was illegal during in the Roman Empire. Everything that went against the beliefs and the praise of the emperor and the admiration of pagan gods of Rome, was forbidden. Any challenge against the authority of the Roman Empire would be punished.
Saint Cecilia refused to renounce her faith or conform to the expectations of Roman society. She had this commitment and it was like a testomony of her faith and beliefs. Well, it was also an act of rebellion against the Roman state. Valerian, Tiburtius and Saint Cecilia were arrested and send to martyrdom. Valerian and Tibertius were executed. After sentenced to death, Saint Cecilia survived and prayed. She passed away due to her injuries.

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Still, her Musical legacy was not completely vanished from history;
Saint Cecilia had such a big association with music and Christianity, that music began to play a role in the Christian churches. Mostly with the development of liturgical music. Also think about the church choirs, hymns and organ music. These were all musical expressions.
As it was her dedication to God through music and to inspire Christian devotion through the act of singing; It became a talent in service to the Church.

The first record of a music festival in her honour was held at Évreux in Normandy, in 1570.

In 1585 Saint Cecilia got recognision by the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome.
This is one of the oldest musical institutions. There are 2 saints in Western musical history: Gregory the Great (that's why we call the songs Gregorian Chants) and Saint Cecilia: The Patroness Saint of Music.

Over time many musicians got inspired and honored Saint Cecilia through music.

• Georg Friedrich Händel - "Ode for St. Cecilia's Day" (1739)

• Joseph Haydn - "Missa Sanctae Caeciliae ou Missa Cellensis in honorem Beatissimae Virginis Mariae" (1766-67)

• Henry Purcell - "Ode to St. Cecilia / Hail! Bright Cecilia" (1692)

Also contemporary music:

• Benjamin Britten [Who was born on the same day, 22th November] - "Hymn to St Cecilia (1942) and "Saint Cecilia's Day" (1949).

• Arvo Pärt - "Cecilia, vergine romana (Cecilia, Roman virgin)" [for mixed choir and orchestra] (2000)

• Foo Fighters - EP: "Saint Cecilia" [released on the Feast of Saint Cecilia"] (2015)

• Blue Öyster Cult - "The Return of St. Cecilia" (2020)

• Iceage - "Dear Saint Cecilia" (2021)
  

As a rememberance, there is "The Feast Day of Saint Cecilia", which is held on the 22th of November, her original weddingday. On this occasion many churches are open with performances, concerts and musical festivals are held in the music community. They unite her prayers for those who have given their lives to share their gift of music with others.