St. Zoe of Rome

St. Zoe of Rome Biography

St. Zoe of Rome was a noblewoman who lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. She was married to Nicostratus, a high-ranking Roman court official and jailer of St. Sebastian. For six years, Zoe was unable to speak due to a speech impediment, but this changed when St. Sebastian made the Sign of the Cross on her forehead. Suddenly able to speak, Zoe praised the Lord Jesus Christ and told of seeing an angel holding an open book in which everything said by St. Sebastian was written.

Zoe and her husband Nicostratus asked St. Sebastian to baptize them, and he obliged. He also told Nicostratus to serve Christ rather than the Emperor, and to gather the prisoners in his care so that those who believed in Christ could be baptized. The priest Polycarp prepared them for baptism, and that evening, he baptized Nicostratus, Zoe, and all their family, as well as sixteen condemned prisoners, for a total of sixty-four new believers.

Despite the dangers, Nicostratus, Zoe, and their fellow believers remained in Rome with St. Sebastian. However, their faith was discovered, and Zoe was arrested while praying at the tomb of St. Peter. St. Sebastian was also arrested and found guilty at his trial. He was martyred by being pierced with sharp arrows and beaten with clubs.

At her own trial, Zoe bravely confessed her faith in Christ. She was martyred by being hung by her hair over a fire, dying of smoke inhalation. Her body was then thrown into the River Tiber. St. Zoe appeared to St. Sebastian in a vision and told him of her death.

St. Zoe is remembered and venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Her feast day is celebrated on July 5th.

Popular St. Zoe of Rome Medal and St. Zoe of Rome Rosary

Prayers to St. Zoe

Prayer of Intercession to St. Zoe

Dear St. Zoe, You were a noblewoman who suffered persecution and even death rather than renounce your faith in Jesus Christ. Your devotion and bravery continue to inspire believers to this day. I ask for your intercession on my behalf. Please pray for me and for my intentions. May your example of faith and courage give me strength in my own struggles and challenges. Help me to always put my trust in God and to remain steadfast in my beliefs, no matter what obstacles may come my way. Through your intercession, may I be granted the grace and strength to follow in your footsteps as a faithful and devout Christian. Amen.

 

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Prayer to St. Zoe for healing

Dear St. Zoe, You were healed of a speech impediment through the intercession of St. Sebastian, and your miraculous recovery led you and your husband to embrace the Christian faith. I pray that you will intercede on my behalf, that I may receive healing for my [specific ailment or condition]. May your own experience of miraculous healing be a source of hope and comfort for me, and may I be granted the strength and courage to trust in God’s healing power. As I offer up my sufferings and pain to the Lord, I pray that I may find solace and healing through your intercession. Amen.

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Homily Reflection on Feast of St. Zoe

The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Zoe on July 5th.

St. Zoe was a noblewoman who lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, a time when Christians were often persecuted for their faith. Despite the dangers, Zoe remained devoted to Jesus Christ and was willing to suffer for her beliefs. She was arrested while praying at the tomb of St. Peter, and at her trial, she bravely confessed her faith in Christ.

As we reflect on the life of St. Zoe, we are reminded of the importance of being steadfast in our faith, even in the face of persecution or difficulty. Zoe’s example of courage and devotion inspires us to remain true to our beliefs, even when it is not easy or popular to do so.

But St. Zoe’s story also teaches us about the power of healing and the transformative impact it can have on our lives. Zoe was healed of a speech impediment through the intercession of St. Sebastian, and her miraculous recovery led her and her husband to embrace the Christian faith. This experience of healing was a source of hope and joy for Zoe, and it also served as a powerful witness to others.

As we pray to St. Zoe, we can ask for her intercession for healing and strength in our own lives. May her example of faith and devotion inspire us to turn to God in times of need, and may we find hope and comfort in His healing power. Amen.

Saints Similar to St. Zoe of Rome

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Felicity and the Biography of St. Perpetua. St. Zoe of Rome, St. Felicity, and St. Perpetua were early Christian martyrs who suffered persecution for their faith in ancient Rome. They are remembered for their courage and dedication to Christianity. Next up: Biography of Sts. Cosmas & Damian

 

Also check out our handmade St. Zoe of Rome Medal and St. Zoe of Rome Rosary and St. Zoe of Rome Rosary Bracelet .