Martyr Bebaea (Vivea), Sister of Martyr Sarvil

Martyr Fiveya (Vivea) was the own sister of Martyr Sarvil (in Slavic tradition, Fifail), the pagan high priest of Edessa in Mesopotamia, converted to Christ by the preaching of Bishop Barsimaeus. Following her brother, Fiveya also embraced Christianity. Sources differ on the circumstances of her martyrdom: according to some versions, she was seized and executed separately from her brother for her own confession of Christ; according to others, for gathering her martyred brother's blood during his execution, which the authorities likewise deemed a crime. Both brother and sister suffered a martyr's death in the early 2nd century (the exact year is not established; the reigns of both Trajan and Hadrian are mentioned). The principal sources for the vita are the "Acts of Sarvil" and the "Martyrdom of Barsimaeus." Her memory is kept on September 5/18, together with her brother.