Pelagia the Virgin of Antioch

Holy Virgin Martyr Pelagia of Antioch, who chose death rather than dishonor.

Pelagia was a fifteen-year-old Christian of Antioch during the persecution under Numerian. When soldiers came to seize her, she asked leave to change her garments and, praying, threw herself from the roof of the house to preserve her purity.

Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Ambrose both praised her as a martyr for her chastity.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Pelagia the Virgin of Antioch is commemorated on October 8. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on October 21 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on October 8

• 

  Pelagia

  Holy Woman, Πελαγία

  Venerable Pelagia the Penitent.

  Name days: Pelagia, Pelayia

• Thais of Egypt

  Holy Woman, Ταϊσία

  Venerable Thais of Egypt, the penitent who became a great ascetic.

  Name days: Taisia, Thais, Taisiya

• Ignatios the New Martyr of Bulgaria

  Martyr, Ιγνάτιος ο Οσιομάρτυς

  Holy New Monk-Martyr Ignatios of Stara Zagora, hanged at Constantinople in 1814.

• Tryphon of Vyatka

  Venerable, Τρύφων της Βιάτκα

  Venerable Tryphon, Archimandrite of Vyatka, wonderworker of the Russian north.

• Philip of Gortyna

  Hierarch, Φίλιππος επίσκοπος Γορτύνης

  Saint Philip, Bishop of Gortyna in Crete, apologist of the second century.