Saint of August 29: Santa Sabina. Catholic Santoral

Every August 29, the Church remembers Santa Sabina, martyr. Little is known with certainty about his life. However, through tradition, it is possible to know some very important data for the building of Christians.

Sabina lived at the beginning of the second century. She was born in a noble family and was married to the Roman senator Valentino. His conversion to Christianity is attributed to the influence of his Syrian slave, a woman named Serapia.

Christ is my God, I only serve and adore

According to Martyrdom acts -It’s sometimes somewhat problematic source-, it was through Serapia as Sabina began to frequent the Christian community of Rome at the time of Emperor Adriano. This forced her to hide in the catacombs, since the practice of Christianity was banned once again and the Christians were persecuted.

During the persecution, around 126, Serapia was arrested and sentenced to death by his faith. It is believed that Sabina ran the same fate only a few weeks later.

Sabina was presented to the prefect of Rome, Helpidius, who gave her the opportunity to save himself if she abjurada from Christ, to which she refused. A certain tradition has preserved his words: “Christ is my God, only to him serve and adore.” By this reaction, taken as an affront, Sabina was beheaded and her confiscated assets.

Martyrs

In the year 430, the relics of Santa Sabina were placed in the basilica that bears his name, located in Monte Aventino, where Serapia and Sabina would have been martyred. The remains of both rest under the main altar.

In the thirteenth century, Pope Honorio III delivered the Church of Santa Sabina to the order of Santo Domingo (Dominicans). It is a famous temple for its beauty, considered a milestone in art history.