Saint Sabina

Sabina of Rome, also known as Saint Sabina or Sabina the Roman (died or 126) was a Roman Christian who was martyred for her faith. She is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church, being commemorated on 29 August.

Biography Sabina was the daughter of Herod Metallarius ("the Metalworker") and the wealthy widow of Senator Valentinus, originally from Avezzano in the region of Abruzzo.

Sabina converted to Christianity due to the example of her Syrian slave Serapia. thumb

Relics In 430 her relics were translated to the Aventine Hill, to the newly erected basilica Santa Sabina on the site of her house, originally situated near a temple of Juno. This house may also have formed an early Christian titular church. The church was initially dedicated to both Sabina and Serapia. Maya Maskarinec suggests that "'Sabina'...was most plausibly the donor who had provided the with property on the Aventine." Often this was a private home to be used as a church. When someone donated property or money, the resulting foundation bore their name. The that developed during the sixth to eighth century becomes attached to the memory regarding a late fourth or early fifth century philanthropist. "Gradually, however, throughout Rome, many of the 's donors metamorphosed into their communities' patron saints."