Saint Who?
Saints of the Ordinary
Saint Lydia of Thyatira
Laywoman (1st century) Feast: May 20
All we know about Lydia of Thyatira comes from a handful of New Testament verses.
Chapter 16 of the Acts of the Apostles explains that Saint Paul and his companion, Timothy, traveled to the important Greek city of Philippi. Each time Paul entered unevangelized territory, he preached the Gospel first to the Jews. But how could he preach to Jews in a city so thoroughly pagan that it didn’t even have a synagogue? Fortunately, Paul knew that Jews would gather at a nearby river on the Sabbath in such circumstances. That’s how he met Lydia and other women who had come together to pray to God. Lydia apparently became a believer immediately after she heard Paul preach. She was a dealer in purple goods, clothing that was made through an expensive process and sold only to emperors and nobility. Lydia invited Paul and Timothy to stay in her home, and Paul lived there while he established the first Christian community in the city.
Later, Paul and another companion, Silas, were falsely accused of disturbing the peace. They were beaten and placed in prison, but they were released through a miracle. Before they left town, they went back to bid farewell to their faithful patron Lydia, who was not ashamed of their chains or her faith in Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ, by the grace of our baptism,
may we always remain faithful to you.
