Aurea of Córdoba (810–856)[1] was a saint, nun, and martyr, part of the Martyrs of Córdoba, a group of 48 Christian martyrs who were executed under the rule of Muslim conquerors in what is now southern Spain.
Aurea was a widow who was born into an Arab noble family; her father was a Muslim from Seville, and three members of her family were qadis, or Arab judges.[2][3][4] After her brothers John and Adulphus were executed for their faith In 825, she went to live with her mother Artemia, who was also a nun, at the convent at Cuteclara for 30 years.[1][2] She had also witnessed the deaths of three Christians who had been connected with her convent in the early 850s.[3]
According to historian Kenneth B. Wolf, Aurea remained at Cuteclara without the knowledge of her relatives,[3] but historians Jessica Coope and Reginald Haines stated that Aurea’s relatives ignored her Christian faith, even though it was well known, for most of her adult life.[2][5] Wolfe also stated that Aurea’s Muslim relatives from Seville came to her convent, recognized her, and brought her before a judge to force her to recount her Christian faith.[3] She was frightened into submission and released, but after “repenting of her compliance, and avowing herself truly a Christian”,[5] was arrested again and was executed in 856.
From Wikipedia which has a surprisingly good account. Saints who give way to human frailty, repent and die heroically, give hope to us all.
Even today as in time of old, Muslims who convert to Christianity (probably Judaism and Hinduism also) are considered apostates and have a death sentence hanging over their heads. A Turkish woman, Filiz, became Felice when she converted and married an Catholic sailor from Boston is not welcome back in her homeland.by her relatives.