Holy Virgin Martyr Seraphima — July 29 / August 11 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, July 29 according to the Julian Calendar (August 11 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Holy Virgin Martyr Seraphima (II century).

Saint Seraphima the virgin was born in Antioch, but she lived in Rome in the household of the noblewoman Sabina, whom she herself had converted to Christianity.

When the emperor Hadrian (117–138) began his persecution of the Christians, the governor Berillus summoned Saint Seraphima to trial together with others. The virgin, who sought the crown of martyrdom, appeared fearlessly before her torturers, and the faithful Sabina went with her. Seeing the noble lady at her side, Berillus at first released Seraphima, but afterward summoned her again and insistently demanded that she offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. The blessed one courageously confessed the true God. The martyr remained unshaken even when they burned her with the flames of candles and beat her without mercy.

The Lord’s judgment did not pass by the brutal Berillus: a splinter that broke from the rod with which Seraphima was beaten lodged in his eye, and after three days he went blind. Overcome by the spiritual valor of the holy confessor, the judge ordered that she be beheaded. Sabina buried the precious body of the saint with reverence.