Headless Saints: Religion's Morbid Martyrs

Headless Saints: Religion's Morbid Martyrs

From 30 Morbid Minutes by 30 Morbid Minutes

March 2, 2026 · 20 min

About this episode

This episode explores the morbid backstories of cephalophore saints, who are depicted holding their own severed heads.

Have you ever seen a painting of a saint holding their own severed head in their hands? These saints are known as cephalophore saints, and each and everyone one has a distinctly morbid backstory. Their headless predicament certainly begs the question: where does the halo go? Leave us a review -- it helps the show! :) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠30 Morbid Minutes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is made by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Elyse Willems⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Jessica Vasami Music by ⁠⁠Casey Edwards ⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Hosts: Elyse Willems, Jessica Vasami

Topics covered

  • cephalophore saints
  • martyrdom
  • religion
  • art
  • history
  • morbid stories

Keywords

  • saints
  • cephalophore
  • martyrs
  • religion
  • art
  • history
  • morbid

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