Pelagia of Antioch

Another Pelagia, also from Antioch, is commemorated likewise on October 8. She is known as Pelagia the Righteous, the Repentant, or the Venerable, rather than the Virgin-martyr.

The holy and glorious Virgin-martyr Pelagia of Antioch was killed during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. The Church celebrates her feast day on October 8.

Life

She was born into a distinguished family in Antioch in the early fourth century. When she was around fifteen years old, a group of soldiers came to arrest her for being a Christian. When the soldiers attempted to sexually assault her, she jumped from her roof (or window) rather than face the dishonor it would bring her.

External links

• Concerning Virgins Book 3, chapter VII. by St. Ambrose of Milan
• "Virgin Martyr Pelagia, Venerable Pelagia and Venerable Thais: Three Holy Responses to Sexual Immorality" Mystagogy (which quotes a large portion of St. John Chrysostom's homily "A homily on Pelagia, Virgin and Martyr," translated into English by Wendy Mayer, from the book Let Us Die That We May Live (pp. 148-161))
• [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=102903 Virginmartyr Pelagia of Antioch (OCA)