Saint of the Day: St. Lydia



Saint Lydia was born during the first century in Thyatira, a town famous for its dye works in Asia Minor, famous for its dye works, (hence, her name which means purple seller). She was a seller of purple dye and was St. Paul's first convert at Philippi. The following is from the Acts of the Apostles:

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, did hear: whose heart the Lord opened to attend to those things which were said by Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying: If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
~Acts 16:14-15

She was baptized with her household. Thereafter, Paul made his home with her while in Philippi.

Lydia was a woman of hospitality, a woman of faith. As a successful businesswoman she most likely had a home spacious enough to welcome guests and to use her home as a Christian center, where others would gather for the Holy Mass and prayer. After Paul and Silas were released from prison, they went immediately to Lydia’s house to see and encourage the believers gathered there. Lydia served the Lord through her gift of hospitality by welcoming others into her home.
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Comments

  1. Anonymous5/17/07, 9:11 PM

    Thank you for the information on your site. It was quite helpful.
    I am doing a Religous Education Assignment at school on St Lydia, but it is rally difficult to find much information on her and on her life.
    I would be very grateful if you could post any other information on her, on your website.

    Thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous10/14/07, 4:33 PM

    I used the information to send a friend greetings on her confirmation; she took the name Lydia and knowing the facts made it all the more special.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous12/3/07, 12:50 PM

    Thank you but I heard that Lydia was a warrior of some kind.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous8/2/10, 8:29 AM

    st lydia, please intercede for me tomorrow ...tomorrow is the day of my interview may you pray that the lord will grant me another 10 years multiple visa to the US and the lord will choose that officer with a big heart for me may i be able to see jesus to that oficer. may the lord open the gates of heaven for my renewal. good weather , documents blessed, all is in favour of me. amen thank you so much

    ReplyDelete

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