# Historical accounts of Lydia's conversion in Philippi

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/historical-accounts-of-lydias-conversion-in-philippi
> Updated: 2026-08-12T14:53:26.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

Historical accounts identify Lydia (also referred to as Saint Lidia) as a wealthy merchant of purple dye from the ancient city of Thyatira, located in modern-day western Turkey. After moving to the Roman colony of Philippi in present-day Greece, she encountered the Apostle Paul.

Following her baptism, which is noted as the first recorded Christian conversion of a European family, Lydia utilized her home and resources to support the early Christian community. Her residence served as a meeting place and the first church in Philippi, where she hosted Paul and Silas.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-12: Lydia: The first Christian convert in Europe

Lydia, a purple cloth merchant from Thyatira, became the first recorded Christian convert in Europe and established the first church in Philippi by hosting Paul and Silas in her home.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lydia-the-first-christian-convert-in-europe

### 2026-08-02: Saint Lidia commemorated as early European Christian convert

Saint Lidia, a wealthy purple‑dye merchant from Tiatira, became the first recorded European Christian convert after Apostle Paul baptized her in Philippi and she opened her home to early believers.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saint-lidia-commemorated-as-early-european-christian-convert

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Cite as: Historical accounts of Lydia's conversion in Philippi. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/historical-accounts-of-lydias-conversion-in-philippi