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Biography

Serapia

Portrait of Serapia

About Serapia

The Roman Martyrology names Serapia as a virgin commemorated at Rome on September 3. Its entry says that her death was traditionally placed on July 29 and that the shared tomb's completion and dedication gave rise to the September observance. The Bollandist dossier likewise records variant forms of the name, different feast notices, and the reason the Roman Martyrology uses September 3.

The later passion presents Serapia as a Christian woman associated with Sabina and supplies a detailed account of her trial and death. The Catholic Encyclopedia explicitly warns that the Acts of Sabina and Serapia have no historical value; their shared early church dedication documents the later cult connection but cannot independently verify the narrative. No secure personal dates, origin, or individual episode beyond the commemorative identity is asserted here.

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