Biography
Saint Martha (1st Century – c. 80 AD) was a biblical figure described in the Gospels of Luke and John. She was the sister of Mary and Lazarus, and lived in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem. She is best known for her hospitality to Jesus and for her profession of faith in him as the Messiah before the resurrection of her brother Lazarus.
Biblical Accounts
In Luke 10:38-42, Martha receives Jesus into her home and is "cumbered about much serving," while her sister Mary sits at Jesus' feet. Jesus gently rebukes her anxiety, saying "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful." In John 11, upon the death of Lazarus, she goes out to meet Jesus and declares, "Yes, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God."
Legend of Provence
According to Provençal tradition (popularized in the Golden Legend), after the Ascension of Christ, Martha, Mary Magdalene, and Lazarus were put on a boat without oars or sails by non-believers. They miraculously landed in Marseilles, France. Martha then traveled to Tarascon, where a terrible dragon known as the Tarasque was terrorizing the populace. Martha tamed the beast by sprinkling it with holy water and holding up the cross, then bound it with her girdle. She lived the rest of her life in Tarascon, preaching the Gospel.