St. Lydia was from Thyatira, a city of Asia Minor. She was likely a prosperous representative of a purple-dye firm in Thyatira, a city located southeast of Pergamum and across the Aegean Sea from Athens. During their travels in Philippi, Paul, Silas, and Timothy met Lydia, a highly-regarded businesswoman who may have been a widow. She was a virtuous Gentile who was attracted to Judaism and associated with a community of individuals who followed the Jewish faith and believed in one God but had not yet fully converted.
Paul and his companions shared the good news of Christ’s salvation with Lydia and other women in Philippi. She listened attentively and took the message to heart. Lydia and her family were then baptized in the Gangites River. Thus, Lydia became the first person in Europe to become a follower of Christ.
In the Acts of the Apostles, it is mentioned that Lydia warmly welcomed Paul and his companions into her home after their release from the Philippi prison. While they were imprisoned, Lydia and others who gathered at her home prayed for the release of Paul and Silas. As a result, her home became the first Christian Church in Europe. When Paul left Philippi, he entrusted Luke with the task of preaching the Gospel and strengthening the church in Philippi. St. Lydia, the jailer, and their households formed the core of this church.
St. Lydia, pray for us to have complete faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
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