Febronia of Nisibis

Who is Febronia of Nisibis?

Febronia of Nisibis, also known as Febronia of Sebapte, was a nun at Nisibis, Mesopotamia. She suffered persecution under Diocletian, who offered her freedom if she renounced her faith and married his nephew, Lysimachus, who had been leaning towards conversion to Christianity. Febronia refused and was tortured, suffered mutilation and death. Lysimachus, witnessing her suffering, converted.

Febronia is one of the 140 Colonnade saints which adorn St. Peter's Square. She is known as a Holy Virgin Martyr.

In the Coptic Orthodox Church, her feast day is 1 Epip which corresponds to 8 July or 25 June.