Saint Lydia of Thyatira

Lydia of Thyatira (Greek: Λυδία) is a woman mentioned in the New Testament who is regarded as the first documented convert to Christianity in Europe. Several Christian denominations have designated her a saint. The name "Lydia", meaning "the Lydian woman", by which she was known indicates that she was from Lydia in Asia Minor. Though she is commonly known as "St. Lydia" or even more simply "The Woman of Purple", Lydia is given other titles: "of Thyatira", "Purpuraria", and "of Philippi ('Philippisia' in Greek)". "[Lydia's] name is an ethnicon, deriving from her place of origin". The first refers to her place of birth, a city in the ancient region of Lydia (modern-day Akhisar, Turkey). The second comes from the Latin word for purple and relates to her connection with purple dye. Lydia was living in Philippi in modern-day (Greek) Macedonia when she met St. Paul and his companions. All these titles expound upon her background. Acts 16 describes Lydia as follows: Wayne Grudem sees the story of Lydia as an example of effectual calling. Lydia was most likely Ancient Greek, since she originated from Thyatira, Asia Minor, but probably a romanized one, as she lived in a Roman settlement. She was evidently a well-to-do agent of a purple-dye firm in Thyatira, a city southeast of Pergamum and about 40 miles (64 km) inland, across the Aegean Sea from Athens. Lydia insisted on giving hospitality to Apostle Paul and his companions in Philippi. They stayed with her until their departure, through Amphipolis and Apollonia, to Thessalonica (Acts 16:40–17:1). Paul, Silas, and Timothy were traveling through the region of Philippi when they encountered "a reputable businesswoman and possibly a widow... [who] was a righteous Gentile or 'God-fearer' attracted to Judaism". "he was one of a large group [considered]... sympathizers with Judaism, believers in the one God, but who had not yet become 'proselytes' or taken the final step to conversion to Judaism".