The life of St Lydia of Philippi
What she heard moved her enough that she and her entire household were baptized there, an act tradition remembers as the first Christian conversion recorded on European soil.
She did not stop at belief alone. Once baptized, she pressed Paul and his companions to accept her hospitality, telling them plainly that if they judged her faith genuine they should come and stay under her roof, an invitation the Book of Acts preserves as the opening act of welcome the Gospel received in Europe.
She is remembered as Equal to the Apostles, a title the Church of Constantinople confirmed by formal glorification in 1972. She is honored less for anything dramatic recorded of her than for the plain readiness with which she opened both her heart and her household the moment she heard the Gospel preached. Greek usage keeps her commemoration on May 20, while Slavic usage keeps a separate commemoration on March 23, a difference this Life does not attempt to resolve.
