Rhipsime

Who was Rhipsime?

Rhipsime, sometimes called Hripsime, Ripsime, Ripsima or Arsema was an Armenian virgin and martyr of Roman origin. She and her companions in martyrdom are venerated as the first Christian martyrs of Armenia.

According to legend, Rhipsime was possibly of noble birth. She belonged to a community of virgins, numbering 35 and under the leadership of Gayane, in Rome; 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. The varying accounts of her martyrdom diverge at this point. One story indicates that Rhipsime again was noticed for her beauty, this time by King Tiridates III, who proceeded to pursue her. Upon being brought before him, she refused his advances and was punished by being roasted alive. Gaiane was then put to death by Armenian soldiers, as were all members of her community except for Saint Nune, who was later a missionary in Georgia and is praised as the founders of the Georgian Orthodox Church being named as Saint Nino.

Another version of the saint's Acts indicates that, upon discovering Rhipsime's whereabouts, Diocletian sent a letter to Tiridates insisting that he either send her back or take her for himself. The king's servants found her among her companions, here described as nuns, and urged that she follow his wishes. She responded that she could not marry as she was betrothed to Jesus Christ, as were the others. At this, a voice from heaven was heard, saying, "Be brave and fear not, for I am with you". Upon this, Tiridates ordered that Rhipsime be tortured; her tongue was cut out, her stomach cut open, and she was blinded before being killed. Her body was then cut into pieces. Inspired by her example, Gaiane and two other nuns gave themselves over to similar treatment before being beheaded. The rest of the community was put to the sword, their bodies thrown to the beasts to be eaten. Supposedly, Tiridates and his soldiers were then punished by God for their actions; the soldiers were beset by devils, and began to act like wild animals, running through the forests, gnawing at themselves, and tearing their clothes. The legend states that the King was turned into a wild boar for his actions, and had to be saved by the intervention of Gregory the Illuminator. These accounts are likely highly fictionalized; about the only thing certain about Rhipsime's story is that she and her companions were, in fact, martyred in Armenia in about 290.