Memory of the Venerable Women Pelagia and Thais

Today, the Church commemorates the memory of the Venerable Women Pelagia and Thais, and of Saint Hieromartyr Artemon, whose feast is also celebrated on March 24.

Pelagia came from a noble family and lived in the renowned historic city of Antioch in Syria. When the governor of the region learned that she was a Christian and studied the Holy Gospel, he sent soldiers to arrest her.

The Saint prayed to God to receive her pure and undefiled, and thus she surrendered her spotless body and soul to the Lord.

Saint Thais, who had lived a life of sin, was led into corruption and the misuse of her body—indeed, by her own mother’s encouragement. But when she learned that salvation and redemption are found in Christ, she repented of her sinful deeds, distributed her possessions to the poor, and dedicated herself to the monastic life. She spent the remaining years of her life in holiness, with prayer, tears, and sighs—the true expression of sincere repentance.

Source: Church of Cyprus