August 3: Saint Lydia

The First Disciple of Saint Paul

Lydia is a saint whose name does not appear in any official martyrology, yet she is mentioned in a well-known passage from the Acts of the Apostles, written by the evangelist Luke.

Saint Luke recounts the story in the first person, as he was present along with Saint Paul and other disciples on the journey from Troas to Macedonia. After landing at Samothrace, they passed through Neapolis and finally arrived in Philippi, an important city and Roman colony, where they stayed for several days.

On the Sabbath, they went outside the city walls to a river, where it was believed there was a place of prayer. Sitting down, they began speaking to the women gathered there. Among them was Lydia, originally from Thyatira, in present-day Turkey. She was a dealer in purple cloth and a God-fearing woman who listened attentively. The Lord opened her heart, and she received Paul’s words with faith. She was baptized along with her household and then warmly invited Paul and his companions to stay at her home, insisting with great hospitality.

Lydia thus appears as a determined, generous, and courageous woman—likely managing a dyeing business given her trade in purple cloth. She is remembered as the first Christian to be converted and baptized in Philippi.

During their stay in the city, Paul and Silas (or Silvanus) were arrested and flogged by Roman magistrates, accused of disturbing public order. However, as Roman citizens, they were eventually released. Before leaving Philippi, they returned to greet the Christians gathered in Lydia’s home, the first local believer.

After this episode, no further details are known about Lydia, her family, or her business. Nonetheless, one detail mentioned by Luke led to a special patronage being attributed to her. As a dealer in purple cloth, she is venerated as the Patron Saint of dyers and color textile manufacturers.