Saint Lydia of Thyatira

Lydia came from Thyatira in Asia Minor and lived in Philippi, in Macedonia, where she traded in purple dye. She already worshipped the God of the Jews when she heard the Apostle Paul preaching by the river Zygaktos outside the city — the first preaching of the Gospel in Europe.

She believed in Christ at once and was baptised together with her whole household, becoming the first Christian convert in Europe. She then offered hospitality to Paul and his companions, as the Acts of the Apostles relates.