Theosebia the Deaconess

The Blessed Theosebia the Deaconess was the sister of Ss. Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and Peter the Bishop of Sebaste. Her feast day is January 10.

Life

St. Theosebia was a member of a very distinguished Orthodox Christian family of the fourth century. Traditionally, she is held to be the sister of Ss. Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and Peter of Sebaste. The date of her birth is unknown. She was a virgin and served the church in Nyssa as a deaconess, caring for the sick, distributing food to vagrants, raising orphans, and preparing women for baptism.

As well as the three years her brother Gregory of Nyssa was in exile during which she had accompanied him, St. Theosebia also shared in all the tribulations of a life of wandering.

Following her death in 385, St. Theosebia was eulogized by Gregory the Theologian in a letter of condolence to Gregory of Nyssa. . In view of the ambiguity of St. Theosebia's relationship with Gregory of Nyssa as noted in Gregory's letter, some historians have supposed Theosebia was the wife of Gregory of Nyssa.

Sources

• OCA: Blessed Theosebia the Deaconess, sister of Ss. Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa
• Wikipedia: Theosebia
• Saint Theosevia the Deaconess of Nyssa