Martyr Serapia (Seraphima) of Antioch

Virgin-martyr Serapia (Seraphima) of Antioch was born in the late 1st century in Antioch, Syria, to a Christian family that fled to Italy to escape persecution. Resolving to devote herself wholly to God, she sold her possessions, distributed the proceeds to the poor, and entered voluntary service to a noblewoman of senatorial rank named Sabina. Through her piety Serapia converted Sabina to Christ, and Sabina too was later martyred. During the persecution under Emperor Hadrian (117–138), the governor Virilus tried to force Serapia to worship the Roman gods; when she refused, he handed her over to be violated by two youths, but an earthquake thwarted the attempt. She was then burned with torches and beaten with rods — a splinter from the beating struck the governor's eye, blinding him three days later. Unable to break her resolve, Virilus ordered her beheaded, traditionally dated to around 119 AD. Sabina buried her body with honor. She is commemorated on July 29 (Old Style) / August 11 (New Style).