Serapia

A variation of Serapion, itself derived from Serapis, the name of a Greco-Egyptian god, the result of fusing the sacred bull Apis with Osiris, the god of fertility, agriculture, and the dead. Likely from the Egyptian asar, it could be interpreted as meaning "mighty" or "eye".

Saint Serapia was a 2nd-Century Roman saint and martyr, who fled persecution during the rule of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. She entered into the service of a wealthy widow called Sabina, converted her mistress to Christianity and then spent her days in devotion and charity work. When Serapia later refused to worship the Roman gods, she was given to two men to be defiled as punishment. The men fell unconscious however, allowing her to escape, only to be accused of witchcraft and beheaded.

Also appearing as Seraphia, Serafia, and Seraphima, Serapia may additionally refer to a Roman festival, celebrating the God Serapis.

Pronounced suh-RAH-pee-uh.