Elesa of Kythira

Holy Virgin-Martyr Elesa, patron saint of Kythira and protector of childbirth and expectant mothers.

St. Elesa was a virgin martyr honored by tradition as the patroness of the island of Kythira. Her very birth was an answer to prayer: her mother, a pious Christian who had long struggled to bear a child, prayed fervently and received the divine assurance that God had shown her mercy — in Greek, ho Theos elesese — and so the daughter granted to her was named Elesa. Raised by her mother in the faith despite her pagan father, she embraced Christ and consecrated her life to Him. When her father raged against her faith she fled across the water to Kythira; pursuing her there, he put her to death, and she received the crown of martyrdom in her youth.

Because her own birth was God's answer to a childless mother's prayer, St. Elesa is venerated as a protector of childbirth and of expectant mothers, who seek her intercession for the gift of children and a safe delivery. On the mountain of Kythira where tradition places her martyrdom stands the monastery that bears her name, a place of pilgrimage for the islanders. Her feast is celebrated on August 1.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Elesa of Kythira is commemorated on August 1. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on August 14 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Elesa, Elessa

Also commemorated on August 1

• 

  Beginning of the Dormition Fast

  Saint, Αρχή Νηστείας

  Beginning of the Dormition Fast — Procession of the Cross.

• Procession of the Precious Cross

  Saint, Πρόοδος Τιμίου Σταυρού

  Procession of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, opening the Dormition Fast with the blessing of waters.

• Seven Maccabees, Solomone and Eleazar

  Martyr, Επτά Μακκαβαίοι, Σολομονή και Ελεάζαρ

  The seven Maccabee brothers, their mother Solomone and their teacher Eleazar, martyred for the Law of God before Christ.

  Name days: Eleazar, Solomoni, Solomone

• Nine Martyrs of Perge

  Saint, Εννέα Μάρτυρες Πέργης

  Holy Nine Martyrs who suffered at Perge in Pamphylia under Diocletian.

• Timothy of Proconnesus

  Hierarch, Τιμόθεος Προκοννήσου

  Saint Timothy the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Proconnesus.

• Anthony the New of Constantinople

  Venerable, Αντώνιος ο Νέος

  Venerable Anthony the New, wonderworker and ascetic.