Hripsime hakobyan biography

Roman martyr in the 3rd century

Hripsime (Armenian: Հռիփսիմէ, died c.

Hripsime hakobyan biography

290^[2]), also called Rhipsime, Ripsime, Ripsima, Ripsimia, Ripsimus, Arbsima or Arsema (Ge'ez: አርሴማ), was a martyr of Roman origin; she and her companions in martyrdom are venerated as some of the first Christian martyrs of Armenia.^[3]

Biography

According to legend, Hripsime was possibly of noble birth.^[4] She belonged to a community of virgins in Rome, numbering 35^[5] under the leadership of Gayane.

She was known to be extremely beautiful and attracted the notice of Diocletian. To avoid his advances she, along with her community, fled the city, going first to Alexandria before settling in Vagharshapat.^[3] The varying accounts of her martyrdom diverge at this point.

One story indicates that Hripsime again was noticed for her beauty, this time by King Tiridates III, who proceeded to pursue her. Upon being brought before him, she refu