Saint Pelagia
Celebration date: 08/10
Osia Pelagia lived in Antioch and belonged to the class of light women. She was a prostitute. Her life was immersed in the estrus of sinful pleasures. Debauchery had so poisoned her conscience that no notion of repentance could enter her soul. Therefore, one might say, she was condemned from her earthly life to the fire of hell. But no!
The all-merciful Lord assured us that “the publicans and the prostitutes bring you into the kingdom of God”. That is, publicans and harlots, who at first disobeyed the Law of God, but then sincerely repented, precede you in the kingdom of God, who only in words showed obedience to God, but in deed were disobedient and unfaithful.
In fact, Pelagia accidentally heard a passionate sermon on chastity by Bishop Nonnos at a gathering of Christians (see November 10). His words checked and shook her soul.
By the grace of God, she renounced her wasteful life, sold her various jewels and distributed the money to the poor. After being catechized and baptized, after eight days she went to Jerusalem, where she spent the rest of her life in hard training.