Martyr 2nd century

Virgin Martyr Seraphima of Antioch

1st–2nd century (martyred c. 119)

Also known as Serapia · Seraphima

A Christian virgin of Antioch who lived at Rome in the household of the noblewoman Sabina, whom she won to Christ, and was martyred under Hadrian.

Feast Day

July 29

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Commemorated as

The Holy Virgin Martyr Seraphima of Antioch

Life

Seraphima, also called Serapia, was an early Christian virgin and martyr from Antioch in Syria who is commemorated on July 29. By tradition she was born to Christian parents in the late first century and, fleeing the persecution of the Roman Emperor Hadrian (reigned 117–138), left the East and settled in Italy.

Having taken a vow of chastity, she is said to have given away her property, distributed the proceeds to the poor, and entered the household of a wealthy Roman noblewoman named Sabina, whom she brought to the Christian faith. She was put to death during Hadrian's reign and is venerated as a virgin martyr in both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions.

Timeline 3 moments Read Hide

late 1st century Born at Antioch in Syria to Christian Born at Antioch in Syria to Christian parents (by tradition).
reign of Hadrian (117–138) Settles in Italy and enters the service Settles in Italy and enters the service of the noblewoman Sabina, whom she converts to Christianity.
c. 119 Arrested Arrested, tortured, and beheaded for refusing to honor the Roman gods.

Contributions & Legacy

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Life and Martyrdom

According to her synaxarion, Seraphima was a native of Antioch who came to live at Rome in the reign of Emperor Hadrian. She attached herself to Sabina, a woman of a prominent senatorial family, and won her to Christ; Orthodox and Western accounts agree that the conversion of her mistress is central to her story.

When she refused to honor the Roman gods during the persecution, she was condemned. One account relates that she was handed over to two men to be defiled, but her assailants were struck down senseless, and the authorities attributed her deliverance to sorcery. After further attempts on her life, she was beaten with rods and beheaded by the sword.

Sources differ on incidental details: the judge who condemned her is named Virilus in one account, and her death is placed around the year 119. The anchor record classes her simply as a martyr of the second century from Syria.

Relics & Shrines

By tradition Sabina recovered Seraphima's body and buried it in her own family tomb. The Basilica of Saint Sabina on the Aventine Hill in Rome is reported to have originally honored both women; Sabina herself is said to have been martyred not long afterward.

Veneration

Seraphima is commemorated on July 29 in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the same date given in Catholic usage (with September 3 also recorded in the West). As a saint of the undivided Church who reposed before the Council of Chalcedon, she is venerated in both the Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints