Cinnia, or Cynnia, was an Irish

saint In religious belief, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of Q-D-Š, holiness, likeness, or closeness to God. However, the use of the term ''saint'' depends on the context and Christian denomination, denominat ...

who lived during the 5th century. She was a princess of

Ulster Ulster (; ga, Ulaidh or ''Cúige Uladh'' ; sco, label= Ulster Scots, Ulstèr or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional Irish provinces. It is made up of nine counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United King ...

, the only daughter of Echu (or Eochaidh), a king in Ireland."Cinna (Cinne, or Cinnia), Saint", ''The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature''. (James Strong and John McClintock, eds.); Harper and Brothers; NY; 1880
/ref> She converted to Christianity, but her father wanted her to marry Corburac, so

Saint Patrick Saint Patrick ( la, Patricius; ga, Pádraig ; cy, Padrig) was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Known as the "Apostle of Ireland", he is the primary patron saint of Ireland, the other patron saints be ...

intervened on her behalf. Her father agreed to allow her to become a nun, on the condition that Patrick "promised him eternal life without compelling him to be baptized". Patrick agreed, and Cinnia entered the Monastery of Druimduchan, a large community of virgins, under the care of the abbess Cathuberis, where Cinnia lived until her death. Cinnia was responsible for the conversion of many pagans and was well known for her miracles, which occurred both during her life and after she died. Hagiographer Agnes Dunbar states that Cinnia might have been Patrick's sister, although that is unlikely. Her feast day is February 1.

References

5th-century Christian saints 5th-century Irish people Female saints of medieval Ireland Irish princesses Medieval Irish saints 5th-century Irish women {{Ireland-saint-stub