According to the traditional account recorded in the Armenian history attributed to Agathangelos, Hripsime was a woman of noble origin who was one of a group of Christian virgins who led a monastic life in Rome, led by their mother superior Gayane.

According to the traditional account recorded in the Armenian history attributed to Agathangelos, Hripsime was a woman of noble origin who was one of a group of Christian virgins who led a monastic life in Rome, led by their mother superior Gayane. Fleeing the persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Diocletian (r. 284–305), they come to Armenia and settle near the capital of Vagharshapat. The story says that Hripsime was selected to be Diocletian's bride in a beauty contest but refused to marry the emperor. Diocletian sends a letter to the king of Armenia, Tiridates, informing him about the nuns' escape and saying that if Tiridates so wishes, he can keep Hripsime for himself. Tiridates has Hripsime brought to the palace, but despite his physical strength he is unable to overpower her and she escapes. Finally, Hripsime and the other nuns (a total of 37 out of more than 70 who came to Armenia) are put to death: