In 363 A.D., during the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate, Apronianus was appointed as the Governor of Rome. This era marked the beginning of a brutal persecution of Christians, one of whose victims was Saint Bibiana. She was born into a devout Christian family; her father, Flavian, was a Roman knight, and her mother, Dafrosa. Tragedy struck early when Flavian was tortured and exiled, ultimately succumbing to his injuries. Dafrosa faced a grim fate too, being executed by beheading.

Saint Bibiana and her sister Demetria, orphaned and impoverished, devoted themselves to a life of piety, fasting, and prayer in their home. However, their steadfast faith caught the attention of Apronianus. When summoned before him, Demetria declared her faith and mysteriously died on the spot, leaving Bibiana to face further trials.

Bibiana was handed over to a merciless woman named Rufina, who tried unsuccessfully to corrupt her. Despite facing both physical abuse and temptation, Bibiana’s faith remained unshaken. Frustrated by her resilience, Apronianus ordered a more severe punishment. Bibiana was bound to a pillar and savagely beaten with lead-weighted scourges until she succumbed to her injuries. Throughout this ordeal, she maintained a joyful spirit, meeting her martyrdom with unwavering faith.

Following her execution, Bibiana’s body was left unburied, a prey for wild beasts. However, after two days, a priest named John secretly interred her near the palace of Licinius. Her grave later became a revered site. In 465, Pope Simplicius built a church, named Olympina in honor of a benefactress, over her tomb. Centuries later, in 1628, Pope Urban VIII ordered the church’s reconstruction due to its dilapidated state. During this renovation, the relics of Saint Bibiana and her family, long hidden, were rediscovered and rehoused in the newly restored church, ensuring the lasting legacy of their faith and martyrdom.

Photo credit: Sailko via Wikimedia Commons
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12 COMMENTS

  1. There are people today suffering persecution because of their Christianity. Pray daily for the multiplication of their spirit to enfold humanity in Christ’s name for the Kingdom of God here on earth as in heaven. I do believe that is where we can go if we but pray and share with our children God’s divine hand in the tumult of this world. God is the final victor. It isn’t hearalded from the daily news. Bless and multiply the message of hope and love to all you meet this Christmas. Echo Joy and Love of knowing the real “rest of the story”. pbgs

  2. How sad that so many of us abandon our Faith which was founded by
    so many such wondrous Saints & Martyrs????? How pathetic I am when
    I don’t even suffer the mildest of deprivations with good grace.

  3. With such a recorded history of her devotion, why was this Saint, Bibiana, denounced and “un-sainted” along with the likes of St Christopher so many years back. In the St. Joseph Missal I used as a child I believe her memory was celebrated on December 2nd. She certainly died for her faith. I am delighted to see this report. P.S. She is who I was named after and is my patron saint.

  4. …PLEASE CONTINOE POSTING THIS TOPIC, BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MAY PEOPLE QUESTIONING OUR FAITH , OUR ADMIRATION FOR THESE HOLY PERSON, WHO SHOWED TREMENDOUS FAITH AND COURAGE EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF GREAT SUFFERING…

  9. O God, the Giver of all good gifts, Who in Thy handmaid Bibiana didst to the flower of virginity join the palm of martyrdom: do Thou, through her intercession so unite our minds in the bond of charity to Thee,
    that all dangers being done away, we may obtain everlasting rewards.
    Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen

  10. That such cruelty could be harshly given to St Bibiana and her family yet Bibiana remained true to Our Lord, fills me with such sadness that knowing what so many devout people suffered for their love of God yet desert the church and all that it stands for. May God help them to find a way of bringing them back into the fold. St Bibiana please pray for us. AMEN

  12. Amen! St. Bibiana pray for our conversion, my daughter’s and family and myself and all mentioned here! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
    O, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come ,in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit! Amen!

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