What is known about the life of the saint
Not much is known about the life of Pelagia of Antioch, the virgin of Antioch. She lived in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries. She came from a noble family. Since childhood, she believed in Christ and kept the commandments of God. Pelagia lived in a country ruled by pagans - Roman emperors. At that time, in her hometown of Antioch, the Christian religion was banned. The Romans glorified pagan gods.
A secret Christian woman who violated Roman laws was ordered to be brought before the ruler of the city. Pelagia could be dishonored or executed. The girl, seeing the soldiers approaching her house, put on her best clothes, prayed and jumped out of the window. Pelagia was only 15 years old when she died, wanting to preserve her purity, virginity and faith in the Lord. The death of the saint occurred in 303.
After 100 years, another woman appeared in the city of Antioch, who went down in history as Pelagia of Antioch. In the 5th century, pagans from many countries converted to Christians. In many cities there were churches in which services were held. One day, bishops from different countries gathered for a council in Antioch. One of the clergy, Nonnus of Iliopolis, read a sermon to the people. In the crowd he saw a bright beauty, the harlot Margarita. Nonn gave a speech in which he expressed regret that people spend a lot of time on the beauty of the body and do not care about the soul.
The bishop's words made the harlot think about her behavior, and the next Sunday she went to the Divine Liturgy in the temple. After listening to the sermon, the woman began to beg Nonnus to baptize her. Having become a Christian, Margarita received the name Pelagia, she distributed her property to the poor and went to Jerusalem. In one of the monasteries, she took monastic vows, posing as a young man. Pelagia lived in a cell on the Mount of Olives, praying and fasting. She died in 457. During the burial it turned out that the deceased monk was a woman.
Venerable Pelagia of Antioch. Orthodox calendar for October 21
Main church holidays, days of remembrance of saints and Orthodox shrines of today
October 21 (October 8 according to the “old style” - the church Julian calendar). Monday of the 19th week of Pentecost (nineteenth week after the feast of the Holy Trinity, Pentecost). There is no post. Today in the Russian Orthodox Church the Memory of the Holy Fathers of the VII Ecumenical Council , the celebration of the Council of Vyatka Saints , as well as the memory of 25 saints of God known by name. Next we will briefly talk about them.
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Venerable Pelagia of Antioch . Saint of the 5th century from the Nativity of Christ, whose Life is especially edifying for all Christians. In her youth, Pelagia was a very idle and even dissolute girl, constantly putting on luxurious clothes and jewelry. One day, participants in a church council gathered in Antioch, leaving the temple where they were meeting, saw a company of young people, among whom was Pelagia. The most wise old man, Bishop Nonnus of Iliopolis, asked his brothers if they liked the beauty of this woman, and when he heard nothing in response, he said:
And I learned a lot from her. She made it her goal to please people, and how many hours do you think she spent decorating herself, taking care to appear more beautiful than other women in the eyes of her admirers? At the Last Judgment, the Lord will condemn us with it, because we, having an immortal Bridegroom in Heaven, neglect the state of our soul. What will we come before Him with?
After this, the elder began to pray for Pelagia and the salvation of her soul, and the very next day the woman came to the temple, repented and wished to be baptized, saying: “My sins are more numerous than the sand of the sea, and there is not enough water in the sea to wash away my bad deeds.” After the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, Pelagia withdrew from Antioch, and subsequently, posing as a young man, took monastic vows and for many years performed spiritual deeds, living as a hermit on the Mount of Olives. The saint died around the year 457 from the Nativity of Christ, and only during the burial they discovered that the monk who had gone to the Lord was a woman.
Martyr Pelagia of Antioch, virgin. Photo: pravoslavie.ru
Martyr Pelagia of Antioch, virgin . 3rd century saint should not be confused with her namesake, Venerable Pelagia of Antioch . The Holy Virgin Pelagia lived almost two centuries earlier during the time of the anti-Christian persecutions of the pagan emperor Numerian, who reigned in the Roman Empire in 283–284 AD . She was also distinguished by her beauty, but from a young age she decided to preserve it by preserving her virginity. The ruler of the city, having learned that Pelagia was a Christian, sent his soldiers to seize the girl. Knowing that they would encroach on her innocence and her faith, the saint prayerfully threw herself from the heights of her house. It is important to note that such cases of voluntary sacrifice for the sake of the Christian faith are not considered suicides in the Church, but are revered as feats of martyrdom.
Memory of the Holy Fathers of the VII Ecumenical Council . The last council recognized by the Orthodox Church - the seventh - was convened in Nicaea (therefore also called the Second Nicaea) in 787 AD . It was this council that preserved Christian icons to the world, since it condemned the heresy of the iconoclasts, who declared the veneration of icons to be idolatry, and due to the fact that a number of emperors of the Roman Empire (Byzantium) accepted this heresy, for several decades the empire plunged into a real civil war, which brought many new martyrs. And only the Seventh Ecumenical Council finally confirmed the need for Christians to venerate holy icons.
Memory of the Holy Fathers of the VII Ecumenical Council. Photo: pravoslavie.ru
Venerable Taisia of Egypt, Thebaid . A saint who also performed spiritual deeds at the end of the 3rd century AD. Like the Monk Pelagia, Saint Taisia in her youth led a dissolute life, but one day the elder Paphnutius set her on the true path, explaining the gravity of Taisia’s sins. Realizing this, the young woman not only repented, but gave away all her property and, having taken monastic vows, went into seclusion, where she constantly said a short prayer: “O Lord, who created me, have mercy on me!”
Venerable Dosifei of Verkhneostrovsky . Russian saint of the 15th century from the Nativity of Christ, who performed spiritual deeds on the Pskov land. A disciple of another great saint of those places - St. Euphrosynus of Spasoeleazar . In 1470 from the Nativity of Christ, Elder Dosifei founded the Petro-Paul Verkhneostrovsky Monastery on Lake Pskov, where he became abbot and rested 12 years later.
Strict shepherd: October 21 - memory of St. Tryphon of Vyatka
Venerable Tryphon, Archimandrite of Vyatka . Russian saint of the 16th – early 17th centuries the Council of All Vyatka Saints is also celebrated today . You can learn more about this great saint of God from our material “The Strict Shepherd”, published on the pages of Constantinople.
Venerable Tryphon, Archimandrite of Vyatka. Photo: pravoslavie.ru
Hieromartyrs Dimitri (Dobroserdov), Archbishop of Mozhaisk, and with him John Khrenov, deacon, venerable martyrs Ambrose (Astakhov), archimandrite, and Pachomius (Turkevich), abbot, venerable martyr Tatiana (Unsurvivable), nun, martyr Nikolai Rein, martyrs Maria Volnukhina and Nadezhda Azhgerevich, Hieromartyrs Jonah (Lazarev), Bishop of Velizh, Reverend Martyr Seraphim (Shchelokov), Archimandrite, Hieromartyrs Peter Ozeretskovsky, Vasily Ozeretskovsky, Pavel Preobrazhensky, Peter Nikotin, Vladimir Speransky, presbyters, martyrs Viktor Frolov, John Rybin, Nikolai Kuzmin and martyr Elisaveta Kuranova , Venerable Martyr Varlaam (Efimov) . Orthodox clergy, including those in the rank of bishops, as well as monks and laymen who suffered for their loyalty to the Christian faith on this day during various years of Soviet atheistic persecution. Later, everyone was glorified as saints in the thousands of new martyrs and confessors of the Russian Church.
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Congratulations to all Orthodox Christians on All Saints' Day! Through their prayers, Lord, save and have mercy on us all! We are happy to congratulate those who received names in their honor through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism or monastic tonsure! As they used to say in Rus' in the old days: “For the Guardian Angels - a golden crown, and for you - good health!” To our departed relatives and friends - eternal memory!
The meaning of Pelagia in Orthodoxy
Both Pelagia of Antioch are saints who lived at the dawn of Christianity and believed in Jesus Christ. Sincere faith in the Lord helped them save their souls and receive the protection of the Heavenly Father. Thanks to people like the two Pelagii from Antioch, Christianity took hold on earth. Believers lived according to God's commandments, and faith helped them survive any trials and difficulties.
Love for God came first for Pelagia (the virgin). The young Christian woman, without a moment’s hesitation, said goodbye to life, but did not betray religion. The virgin was not a martyr, but suffered for her faith in the Lord.
Pelagia (harlot) changed her life after hearing a sermon about the Savior. Words about God can heal the souls of the most hardened sinners and direct them to the path of salvation. The woman spent the rest of her life in a monastery, begging forgiveness for her sins. The harlot of Antioch changed herself and gave all Christians hope that faith in God is capable of miracles.
Using her own example, the saint showed believers how to beg God for forgiveness for sins. Having secluded yourself in a monastic cell, you need to pray day and night for the salvation of your soul. In addition to prayers, Christians are required to adhere to strict dietary restrictions, that is, to fast. Having renounced pleasures and spent their lives in prayer, Christians have the right to hope for forgiveness.
LIVES OF THE SAINTS IN PRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN
This was in the middle of the 5th century. Bishops gathered for a council in the city of Antioch; Having discussed important church issues, they wished to hear the teachings of Blessed Nonnus, Saint of Iliopolis. The bishops sat in the church vestibule near the open doors and reverently listened to spiritual instruction. At this time, a well-known sinner in the city named Margarita passed by the temple. All in gold and pearls, she walked, surrounded by cheerful, elegant young men and girls. The air was filled with fragrance, so that aromas wafted in the temple. Seeing the beauty’s uncovered head and bare shoulders, the bishops lowered their eyes and turned away, sighing quietly. Only blessed Nonnus looked after her carefully and for a long time, and when she disappeared from view, he asked: “You didn’t like her?” The bishops said nothing. “And you weren’t pleased with the beauty of this woman?” – Nonn asked again. Everyone was silent. “Oh, how much I have learned now,” said the blessed one. - The Lord will put her before us at the Last Judgment and condemn us - after all, she spends so much time dressing up and adorning herself, primping herself in front of the mirror for hours in order to please people - at least for a little while. And we, having an Immortal Bridegroom, do not try to decorate our accursed soul, nasty and dirty, do not wash it with tears of repentance, do not dress it in the clothes of virtues so that it appears beautiful before God! And blessed Nonnus went to his cell. There, on his knees and crying, he asked God for forgiveness for not caring about the beauty of his soul the way a sinner cares about her body. He also prayed for Margarita, saying: “Lord, everything is possible for You, do not destroy Your creation, do not give such beauty to the demons!” Turn her to You, and may Your holy name be glorified in her. At night, the saint had a dream: he stood in the altar during the Divine Liturgy, and a dirty black dove flew around him, and he could barely stand the stench emanating from her. When the deacon exclaimed: “Catechumens, come forth!”, she flew away. Leaving the church, Nonn again saw the dove circling above his head. Reaching out his hand, he took the bird and threw it into the water. All the dirt disappeared, and the dove flew out of the water, white as snow, and began to rise higher and higher until it disappeared from sight. The next day, Sunday, Nonnus and other bishops went to the cathedral for the Divine Liturgy. When he preached a sermon about the Last Judgment and about the afterlife fate of the righteous and sinners, by God’s will, Margarita also came into the church - and before she had never been to a Christian church. Hearing Nonna's words, she thought about her sins and became afraid. “After the service, follow this holy man who spoke the sermon and find out where he lives,” Margarita said to the servants. She sent a note to the bishop, inscribing it: “To the holy disciple of Christ from a sinner and disciple of the devil.” “I heard about Christ, Who came down from Heaven to save sinful people, how humble He was, ate with tax collectors and talked with harlots. And you, my lord, true servant of Christ,” she asked, “do not disdain me, lead me to the Savior of the world.” Blessed Nonnus answered: “If you want to believe in my God, come to the church of the Holy Martyr Julian, where I will be together with other bishops.” Margarita hurried to the temple. Standing before the bishops, she began to cry, fell to her knees and grabbed the feet of Saint Nonnus. “Please, make me a Christian,” she begged. “I am a sea of sins and an abyss of iniquities, wash me with baptism!” - And, like the evangelical harlot, she washed the feet of the blessed one with her tears and wiped them with her hair. “You will answer to the Lord for my soul if you do not baptize me today!” Nonn sent to the archbishop, and he, rejoicing over the salvation of the sinner’s soul, ordered Margarita to be prepared to receive the sacrament. “Get up, you will now be announced for baptism,” said the saint, and only then did the woman rise from her knees. - What is your name? “My parents named me Pelagia, and in Antioch everyone calls me Margarita.” The bishop announced Pelagia and baptized her in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and then communed the Holy Mysteries of Christ. “Come to dinner,” Nonnus said to the bishops after the sacrament. – Let us rejoice with the angels of God over the found sheep and taste the wine and oil with spiritual joy. When everyone was sitting at the festive table, the demon outside the door began to shout loudly: “Woe is me!” How much do you have to endure from this old drunkard! He took away my last hope, what should I do now? Cursed be the day you were born! And you, Mrs. Pelagia, you betrayed me like Judas! Nonnus ordered Pelagia to protect herself with the sign of the cross, and the devil disappeared. But two days later he appeared again. “My lady, dear Margarita, what wrong have I done to you?” - he exclaimed. “Didn’t I shower you with gold and jewels, didn’t I dress you in luxurious dresses?” Please, tell me how I offended you, and I will do everything - just don’t make me a laughing stock! Pelagia crossed herself, and the devil ran away. The next day she sent a servant to fetch her jewelry. “This is the wealth that Satan gave me,” she said to Nonnu. “Take it and do with it what you want.” He called the church steward and ordered him to distribute all the money to orphans, the poor and the sick. On the eighth day, when, according to custom, the newly baptized took off their white clothes, Pelagia put on a hair shirt, over it the old cassock of Bishop Nonnus and secretly left Antioch. No one knew where she was except the blessed one, to whom God revealed that she had gone to the monastery. In men's clothing, calling herself the monk Pelagius, she came to Jerusalem and locked herself in a cell on the Mount of Olives. So great were her monastic exploits and labors that soon not a trace remained of her wondrous beauty. Three years later she died. Many monks from surrounding monasteries and residents of Jerusalem and Jericho gathered for the funeral, because the fame of Pelagius’ holy life spread throughout Palestine. And then they only found out that it was a woman. Everyone glorified God, marvelous in His saints, and buried Pelagia with honor in the cell where she labored.
Reverence
Two Pelagii from Antioch were canonized and elevated to sainthood. The veneration takes place annually on October 21 (October 8, old style). In the sermons of His Holiness John Chrysostom there are words of glorification of the Virgin Pelagia; he called her the young blessed martyr.
Another saint, originally called Margaret, is also venerated on October 21st. On the day of remembrance of Pelagia of Antioch, prayers addressed to the saint are heard during church services. The priest conducts a special service, reading texts glorifying the saint.
In Jerusalem, in the Cave of Olives, there is a sarcophagus with the relics of the saint. Christians from all over the world come to pray to a woman who has renounced sin and dedicated her life to serving the Lord. The cave where the saint’s relics are located belongs to a Muslim mosque. Paid entrance. However, once a year, on October 21, on the day of remembrance of the saint, Muslims allow Christians to enter the cave for free and perform a prayer service there.
The saint lived in the area where Jesus Christ himself once lived and prayed to the Almighty. The woman did not choose the place where the last days of the Savior’s life passed by chance. She spent many years begging the Lord for forgiveness. She lived in a cave under the male name Pelagius, prayed to God and, having atoned for her sins, went to another world.
Christians pray in front of an icon depicting Pelagia of Antioch. The holy prayer helps to gain faith in the Lord, preserve Christianity in the soul, and renounce imaginary pleasures in favor of the sublime. The glorification and veneration of Pelagia from Antioch is enshrined in church rules.
Life of Pelagia of Antioch
The Monk Pelagia was from Antioch. Before she believed in Christ, she was quite a sinner. She was very beautiful and loved to decorate herself with various jewelry and wore luxurious dresses. Fans nicknamed her Margarita, which means “pearl.”
One day in Antioch all the bishops gathered for a council, among whom was Bishop Nonnus of Iliopolis, who became famous for his righteous life and wisdom. When the bishops left the temple, a crowd of young people appeared in the square. Particularly attractive was the girl who was dressed immodestly, and her shoulders were uncovered. She laughed loudly and there were many fans around her. This girl was Pelagia.
Saint Nonnus carefully examined the girl while others lowered their gaze. When the youth left, he asked the bishops if they liked the girl and her outfits. They were silent. Then Saint Nonnus said that he had learned a lot from this girl, because she spent a lot of time trying to appear more beautiful than other girls in the eyes of her fans. But the Lord will not condemn her, but others because, having a Bridegroom in Heaven, many neglect the adornment of their souls.
Returning home, Bishop Nonn began to pray for the salvation of the young girl. The next time he celebrated the Divine Liturgy, Pelagia herself came to the temple, drawn by an unknown force. The bishop's sermon shocked her so much that she was horrified by the kind of life she was living.
Having repented of her sins, she came to Nonnus and asked him to baptize her. But she was afraid that the Lord would not have mercy on her, but the bishop assured her that the Lord was very merciful and performed the sacrament of Baptism.
After baptism, Pelagia gave all her property to Nonna, and he distributed everything to the poor. A few days later, Pelagia, dressed in men's clothing, left the city. Arriving in Jerusalem, Pelagia took monastic vows as a nun. Everyone took her for a young man.
She built herself a cell on the Mount of Olives, secluded herself in it and became a hermit, spending time in fasting and prayer. Residents of the surrounding villages believed that she was a eunuch and called her Pelagius.
Iconography
Several icons were painted in honor of the Antiochian saints. The most sacred drawings differ in their subjects. One of the icons, dedicated to the Virgin of Antioch, depicts the saint dressed in a tunic and dark maforia. The girl, turning away from the soldiers, prays to the Savior near the house, from which, having heard God’s blessing, she will soon jump. The icon depicting a maiden is considered miraculous. The saint prays in hopeless situations. Believers, saying a prayer in front of the icon, ask to strengthen their faith, to give strength and courage to endure all life's trials.
The Most Holy Virgin, who is in Heaven, hears the words of Christians addressed to her. By reading a prayer in front of the icon, the believer establishes invisible contact with the saint. While turning to the virgin, Christians are transformed and renounce sinful thoughts.
There is an icon depicting Margarita, baptized into Pelagia, in monastic clothing. The saint is depicted from the waist up, with her arms crossed over her chest. Before the most holy icon, believers pray and ask for forgiveness of sins. People turn to the saint in prayer when they want to change a sinful life, to take the path of correction. Requests made in front of the icon help to renounce carnal pleasures and live thinking about the salvation of the soul. Prayers addressed to the saint change the lives of sinners for the better.
Canon of the Holy Venerable Pelagia of Antioch, Olives, Palestine
Song a҃.
Irmos:
The sea is dark, because with the damp feet of the ancients, they walked through the river, with cross-shaped crosses of the river, and the strength of the sea. he won.
Having offered to the many feasts this day, Bzhⷭ҇tvenꙋmy memory, the universe of all the mysterious pelagia, commands us to drink from all the dreams according to ́dvigѡv є҆ѧ̀.
The desire, more than all the desires, that has entered into your life, honest, is ours, and the flame of the soul has burned to enlighten you. , and passions have fallen.
The sea of \u200b\u200bsinful waves and izbѣgshi, honest, to the quiet haven ꙋ hrⷭ҇tovꙋ, pelagie, moored є҆сѝ: thus far we are yours I inherited the earth of the meek.
Bgorodichen:
Silence with those in life, who rule the earth, you are solid and strong agkira: both shelter and nourishment, always to you leaders and savers.
Song of the city.
Irmos:
Rejoice in your church, your heart, your call: you are my fortress, where you are, and your refuge, and your confirmation.
She flew off to the top of her head, with the wings of abstinence, and with many diseases elevated.
You are a passionate and stinking water, washed with this rich water, honest, world, pelagic, vilas with this water.
This enemy is deadly and true, to your god, honest, kindled love and desire.
Bgorodichen:
The warm dew is more cheerful than yours, the drops, the passions of the furnace always extinguishes you singing.
Sedalen, voice and. While the dew of passions extinguished the flame, your life was laid upon you for the sake of the world and ҆збѣгшы, ᲂу҆и́лаѧ є҆сѝ въ згізнёні, ҆҆́г҃лskoe has come to an end: we will end with great glory and honor ꙋ, got to know the end, pelagic equals aggnal. I pray to God, sins, to give tribute to those who celebrate your loving holy memory.
Bgorodichen:
In adversity there are many weaves, enemies visible and invisible, I hope to keep my countless sins: and to the warmth of the Through my captivity and cover, your goodness flows to my refuge. Moreover, first of all, and from you embodied, unceasing prayer is diligent for all your servants, unceasing prayers, bsⷣprecious Thus, pray to Him in the presence of sinners to grant gifts to those who sing worthy praise of yours.
Krⷭ҇tobgorodichen:
The lamb and the shepherd and the deliverer, the lamb that beholds the crest, the unrighteous one raised, weeping bitterly, crying out: peace for the world I am glad that you have received deliverance: but my tomb is burning, behold your crucification, and bear with me for the mercy of mercy, bzhe most good, sinless wherever. Let us more faithfully cry out: please show us the best of both worlds, and the sinful gifts given to those who worship the same sufferers ъ.
Song of the day.
Irmos:
You are exalted, having seen the church on the edge, the righteous shrine, standing in your rank, worthy of those who cry: glory to your power, where you are.
the most honorable censer, pelagie, abstinence from our gleam, the burnt incense was є҆сѝ хрⷭ҇тꙋ̀ bg҃ꙋ ourꙋ, in the stench of the current shi mira є҆гѡ̀.
Bodily goodness, pelagic, sinful thyths before the former, all turned into goodness, unfiltered, even your groom's delight ⷭthat's it.
Dha is all, pelage, goodness is in your heart, and the spark of the word, the flame of high faith, and the sins of the flame.
Bgorodichen:
The rod proszbla є҆сѝ, btsⷣe, and ҆з негѡже зѣже злі мѣзс мѣчсй згъ, зⷭ҇твнaгѡ aroma and ҆sfilling everything, хрⷭ҇that's bg҃ ours, the world is raw, inexhaustible, honest.
Song є҃.
Irmos:
You, where is my light, have come to the world, shining brightly, brightening and gloomy ignorance, singing with faith ѧ tѧ̀.
Through the mysterious waters, the spirit of the soul flourished in the faith of virtues with blessings and blessings.
You, where the light lies in the darkness of the lying people, you raised them up in the hearts of the saints, the lightness of the two people.
Your illnesses, honest pelagia, are shared with tears, cheerfulness and joy at our gathering.
Bgorodichen:
I am amazed at the true blessing of your demonstration, above all, of the most glorious active forces and works throughout the earth.
Song of ѕ҃.
Irmos:
Devour you with a voice of praise, where the church cries out to you, because of the bloodless blood of yours, for the sake of mercy and your ribs are drained blood.
From the last uneven dawn of our time in the past Pelagia, our prince ignan was fast: and all the grace and faith є҆гѡ̀.
Anciently we catch it, we show it, we hold it with strength, and we trample on it with the power of life. Yes.
The bridegroom loved and blessed, with virtues, beautiful, and caved with treasures, palace, pelagic, with resembled him.
Bgorodichen:
See, bcⷣe, your ineffable glory from ancient times, desired by all things: but in the end, we love you we are greater than all.
Kontakion, voice v҃.
Your body, by fasting and praying, by the vigilant prayers of the Creator, prayed for all of your actions, and you will achieve perfection. laziness: as well as mothers, just show it.
Ikos:
All those who live in sins and filthiness, come with me, and after suffering repentance, tears and deeds of the holy mother e our pelagia: yes soon we will more simply understand, our blessed skin is still alive with our sin, filth, and so on There is complete forgiveness, no having shown so far.
Song z҃.
Irmos:
In the cave of Abraham, the Holy Trinity of Persians, with love of piety, rather than with flames, calls: Blessed be He in the Church Where is your glory?
For this reason, it was shown that you have truly corrected yourself, having buried all the enemies in her fortress. Thus she sang: Blessed are you in the temple of your glory, where you are.
In the cave, the heat was abstained and the gold was cooked cleanly, and the first kindness showed it to everyone, brightly. ishꙋ, honest pelagie, with extreme abstinence.
I bathe you with the true essence of passions, and the decaying human being, in the new, glorious, and hereafter ́ѧсѧ, хрⷭ҇тꙋ̀ images.
Bgorodichen:
On the other hand, the word is great, strange, all-embracing and terrible, bts, and it has elevated our confusion into itself. siv, blah blah blah blah blah
Song and.
Irmos:
The lord spread the tribute, the lion's zeal in the ditch of the prison, with the same fiery power, the preacher of virtue, piety These are the zealots, calling out: bless, all things are where, where.
The brightness of your skin is like the sun, and your life is full of brightness, and everything in you Let us sing in our faith, and they cry: Sing to all things, and exalt Him forever.
With an unbreakable union, the world came to him, adhered to him, and remained with him in unison with love. everything: it has already joined with all the thoughts, faith, pelage, inseparable and inseparable.
Since we are truly in your hearts, we have informed you throughout our entire life: this is why we surprised you All earthly, sudden, honest, change, and nbsa fun and fulfilled.
Bgorodichen:
Sing, first of all, your great ministries, preach all the patriars and other people from the apostles, and On the skin and the face of the saints, and the whole multitude of saints: with them we bow to you.
Song ѳ҃.
Irmos:
The stone is not mowed and the mountains are unbearable for you, two, the edge of everything, the khrⷭtos, the scoop, the beer dispersion of the nature: that’s fun Yes, yes, yes, we magnify.
Seeing the desire of the true zealot for the sake of the goodness of the world, and the red color of the body Sweet, dear, and I have hated all my love.
With all the bodily strength of life, pelage, abstinence and illness, we have sunk to our beloved ones: in them we love you enjoy kindness, glory.
Now you are venerated with love by all, reverent, you are watching, and those who are celebrating your year, in memory of this: prayers to the creator and to your creator, partaker May we be and glory to us.
Bgorodichen:
I sing of your grace, two, I magnify your glory: you are the most enlightened of my truth, and the greatest, and the ambulance, and ҆ saved and ҆ protected.
Lyrics
At the service, held on the day of memory and veneration of the saint, the clergy turn with prayer to Pelagia from Antioch. The saint is asked to convey words of repentance to the Lord, strengthen faith in God, and heal the soul from sin.
As a prayer, you can read the troparion of Pelagia of Antioch. It says that the saint, wanting to save her soul, chose faith in Jesus Christ. The woman proved in practice that it is possible to neglect the flesh and take care of the soul. Having become immortal, the saint rejoices with the angels.
In addition to the troparion, there is a kontakion of Pelagie from Antioch. It says that the saint exhausted her body with fasts and begged the Lord with incessant prayers for the forgiveness of sins. Pelagia of Antioch showed Christians the path of repentance.
Troparion of Venerable Pelagia of Antioch, tone 8
In you, your mother is known to have been saved, even in the image:/ having accepted the cross, you followed Christ,/ and in action, you taught to despise the flesh, for it passes away,/ to be diligent about the souls, things more immortal./ / Likewise, the Angels will rejoice, Reverend Pelagia, your spirit.
Translation: In you, mother, that which is in us in God’s image has definitely been preserved: for having taken up your cross, you followed Christ, and in practice you taught to disdain the flesh as transitory, but to take care of the soul, an immortal creation. That is why, Venerable Pelagia, your spirit rejoices with the Angels.
City lights
In those days, Antioch was a large and rich city - the capital not only of Syria, but of the entire East. It was also the second center of Christianity after Jerusalem, founded by the apostles Paul and Barnabas. That is why the theater with its plays “from the life of the pagan gods” was perceived there as a hotbed of debauchery, and actress-dancers participating in pantomimes were considered as idle and depraved as their heroines.
According to legend, one day, when a Church Council was being held in Antioch and the bishops who had gathered for it were discussing church affairs in the courtyard of the church, a local celebrity, the actress Pelagia, known throughout the city, passed by, surrounded by a crowd of admirers. Fashionable, elegant, wearing expensive jewelry. The bishops looked away with a sigh, and only the Bishop of Edessa, Nonnus, followed her with his gaze. And then he asked his colleagues: how much time, in their opinion, did this woman spend to decorate herself in such a way as to impress her fans? The bishops were silent. And Nonnus continued: why are we not so concerned about decorating our soul, “to make it acceptable in the eyes of God”?
Of course, Pelagia was told about this. The next Sunday, when Nonnus was celebrating the liturgy, she came to church for the first time and said that she wanted to be baptized. And having become a Christian, she brought Nonna all her jewelry so that she would have something to give to the poor.
Venerable Pelagia of Antioch and Bishop Nonnus. Miniature Minology of Vasily II. Vatican Library. Rome.
“How much time did she spend in front of the mirror?” - the story of a major girl who became a saint
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes.
October 21 is the day of remembrance of the Venerable Pelagia of Antioch.
On this day, for the only time a year, Muslims from the village of At-Tur near the Russian Monastery of the Ascension on the southern peak of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem allow Christians to enter the mosque grounds free of charge so that they can pray in a cave near the tomb of St. Pelagia of Antioch.
Tomb in the cave of St. Pelagia on the Mount of Olives Photo pravoslavie.ru
Her life says that she was from Syrian Antioch and was there in the 5th century the most beautiful and frivolous girl and the first fashionista. And she led a life quite consistent with her reputation. One word - actress. And the Byzantine theater is not the ancient Greek one with its high tragedies. In Byzantium they loved circus performers, jesters, acrobats and mimes, among whom were women who performed in short tunics with a large neckline. Particularly popular were satirical clowneries about adultery, pimps and misers, and love affairs.
Yes, Antioch was a cheerful city...
Now in its place stands the small Turkish town of Antakya, and it is difficult to imagine that seven and a half centuries ago there was the “Golden City” here - a real metropolis, the fourth largest in the Roman Empire, the capital of the Christian East, the crossroads of caravan routes between the West and the East. There were running water, baths, villas decorated with mosaics, and many street lamps. Here, according to the testimony of Eusebius, the Evangelist Luke was born.
It was here, to the Jews of Antioch, that the apostles Barnabas and Paul, and then Peter, came to preach about Christ. Here the pagans first began to join them, and here the followers of Christ were called Christians by local scoffers (Acts 11:26) - they thought it was funny.
People in Antioch generally loved to have fun. Especially to laugh at noble deeds, female modesty and the infirmity of old age. And they demonstrated their success by competing in luxury and sophistication of entertainment. The city had a theater, stadium, and amphitheater. Public spectacles, debauchery and drinking were so popular here that it became a proverb, and fights between local dims (hippodrome parties) were very reminiscent of the battles of today's football fans.
And here lived the most caustic philosophers and the most ardent critics of government. But not only. By the 5th century, Antioch had generally become the largest intellectual center of Byzantium - with schools of philosophy, medicine, rhetoric, and an excellent library. John Chrysostom was born here and began his ministry in one of the many local churches. And most of the townspeople - already with pride - called themselves Christians. And, although they lived far from being Christians, they were ready to argue endlessly about dogmas. The Church of Antioch was torn apart by heresies and schisms, and local Councils met in the city every now and then.
At one such cathedral, as the life of the Venerable Pelagia tells, Bishop Nonnus of Iliopolis, leaving the church on the square to read a sermon to the people, noticed a bright girl in a shocking outfit in the crowd of local majors and said to his brothers:
“I truly learned a lot from her; for the Lord will appoint this woman at His terrible judgment and judge us with her. How much time do you think she spent in her bedchamber, washing, dressing, decorating herself in various ways and looking around in the mirror, devoting all her thought and care to appearing most beautifully before the eyes of her temporary admirers? And we, having the Immortal Bridegroom in heaven, do not care about decorating our accursed soul, defiled, naked and filled with shame, we do not try to wash it with tears of repentance and clothe it with the beauty of virtues.”
From that day on, Bishop Nonn began to pray for the salvation of this bohemian woman, nicknamed the Pearl for her love of jewelry. And the next Sunday, when he was celebrating the liturgy, Pelagia, by some sudden impulse of her soul, came to church, confessed and was soon baptized. And having become a Christian, she brought all her valuables to Non so that he would distribute them to the poor, and on the eighth day, when, according to custom, it was necessary to take off the white clothes received at baptism, she got up in the dark, put on a monastic robe and, without telling anyone, left Antioch .
Soon she showed up in Jerusalem, took monastic vows, settled in a cave on the Mount of Olives and spent many years there in fasting and prayer. The surrounding residents considered her a male monk. And only in 457 after her death did they find out that she was a woman.
There are not many examples of such repentance and such feat in our calendar. But they exist. And the words spoken in memory of another great repentant sinner - the Venerable Mary of Egypt - by Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) of Sourozh fully apply to the Venerable Pelagia of Antioch:
Icon of Venerable Pelagia of Antioch
“ She can teach us something very important. Saint Seraphim of Sarov more than once told those who came to him that the whole difference between a sinner who perishes and a sinner who finds his way to salvation lies in one thing: determination. (...) she was ready for anything in order to change her life. And year after year, in fasting, in prayer, amid the searing heat, in desperate loneliness, she fought with all the evil that had accumulated in her soul. Because it is not enough to become aware of it; It is not enough even to reject it by force of will: it is here, in our memories, in our lusts, in our fragility, in the corruption that evil brings with it. But in the end she won; she was cleansed of filth, she was able to enter the realm of God - into eternity. (...)
Let her image be for us a new inspiration, a new hope, even a new joy, but also a challenge, an appeal, because in vain we sing the praises of the saints if we do not learn anything from them, if we do not strive to imitate them.”
Screensaver photo: sissilove31
Where are the relics of the saint
Around 457, the monk died. Before the funeral, when the body was being prepared for burial, it was discovered that the monk was a woman. They buried the Monk Pelagia in the same cave where she prayed.
The sarcophagus with the relics of St. Pelagia of Antochia is located in Jerusalem in the Cave of Olives. Today this place belongs to Muslims, as it is located on the territory of a mosque. Pilgrims from all over the world come to the cave to venerate the relics of the saint. Entrance to the cave is paid, but on October 21 of each year, Muslims allow pilgrims to approach the relics for free. In the same cave, annually on October 21, a prayer service is held for St. Pelagia.
From the biography of the Venerable Pelagia, compiled by Deacon Jacob, it is known that she lived in Antioch and in her youth became famous for her extraordinary beauty and freedom of morals. One day, bishops from neighboring regions arrived in Antioch for a church council, among them was Nonnus, Bishop of Illiopolis. While waiting for the council to begin, the clergy sat in front of the entrance to St. Julian's Church and talked. A company of young people, boys and girls, dressed to the nines, passed by. They all chatted happily and laughed at their comrades' jokes. Nonna's attention was attracted by a very beautiful and young woman. Her clothes were the most luxurious of all; it seemed that she was all shining with gold, pearls and precious stones. She walked with her head uncovered and her shoulders uncovered, spreading the smell of perfume around her. Having looked at this woman, the priests turned away with a sad look. Nonnus learned from the local bishop that her name was Pelagia, and looked after her until she disappeared from sight. Turning to the bishops, he said: “I am amazed at the beauty and decoration of this woman; she can teach us a lot.” She set her goal to please people, to look more beautiful than other women, and she achieved her goal. And we? We, who have a Heavenly Father who desires to see our souls in all their beauty, we who are promised the bliss of seeing the Immortal, whom even the angels do not dare to look upon, do we try, in order to worthily appear before Him, to decorate our souls at least half with such the zeal with which this woman decorates her body? The next day, Bishop Nonnus told everyone else that that night he dreamed of a black dove covered with dirt flying around the altar. She kept spinning and spinning until the deacon shouted: “Catechumens, come out!” Then the dove flew out of the church. When the people dispersed after prayer and the temple was empty, the dove appeared again and circled over Nonnus. Stretching out his hand, the bishop took it and lowered it into the font of the church vestibule. The dove became pure and white as snow. Flying out of Nonna’s palm, she soared up and disappeared from sight. On the same day, Bishop Nonn served a prayer service. It so happened that for the first time in her life Pelagia also came to church. Hearing about sin and repentance, about the forgiveness of sinners, about the future life and about the blessed fate of the righteous, she felt deep repentance, her heart was struck with a saving fear from the realization of the great sins in which she had until now spent her life. Pelagia returned home in bitter tears, and nothing could dispel her melancholy. All her previous pleasures became disgusting and scary to her. New thoughts took possession of her soul, she wanted someone to tell her how to change her life. Having learned where the Christian bishop settled, Pelagia sent him a letter. “To the holy disciple of Christ, a sinner and disciple of the devil,” Pelagia wrote to Bishop Nonnus. “I heard that your God came down from heaven to earth - not for the sake of the righteous, but to save sinners.” His humility was so great that He approached the publican, and He, whom the cherubim do not dare to look at, spent time with sinners and talked with harlots. I heard that you, my lord, in whom there is so much holiness, although you did not see Jesus Christ with your bodily eyes speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well, are a sincere admirer of Him. If you are His disciple, then do not turn away me, who desires through you to know the Savior and see His bright face.” Nonnus answered Pelagia that he was ready to receive her in the presence of other bishops. The woman hurried to the temple, where the clergy had gathered, and, sobbing, fell at the feet of blessed Nonna: “I beg you, lord, be an imitator of your teacher Jesus Christ, pour out your kindness on me and make me a Christian.” I am a sea of sins, an abyss of happiness, please cleanse me with baptism! All those present were amazed and touched by the tears and humility of the young woman repenting of her sinful life, but Bishop Nonn told her that church rules do not allow the baptism of sinners without repentance. - Quickly remove me from my evil deeds! - begged Saint Pelagia, sobbing at his feet. “You will answer to the Lord for my soul and for my dishonor if you postpone baptism.” I am afraid to return to my former life if I am not immediately cleansed by repentance and baptism... Seeing such deep repentance and such hope in God’s mercy, Bishop Nonnus was convinced of Pelagia’s readiness to worthily accept the sacrament of baptism and “placed the seal of the Lord on her.” And everyone rejoiced at the sinner’s conversion. But Pelagia endured many temptations from one who was envious of the human race. In order not to succumb to the craving for her old life, she constantly prayed and, wanting to never remember the past, she decided to give up all her rich property. She placed part of it at the disposal of Bishop Nonnus, who, not accepting anything for the benefit of the church, gave everything to the poor. Pelagia gave the rest to the slaves. When releasing them, she begged them to think about saving their souls. Then Pelagia went to Jerusalem and built herself a cell on the Mount of Olives, where the Lord prayed. A few years later, Deacon Jacob gathered in Jerusalem to worship the ascension of Jesus Christ. The bishop, blessing him, said: “Brother deacon, when you come to Jerusalem, look there for a certain brother Pelagius, a monk and eunuch who has been living in seclusion for several years, you will receive a lot of benefit.” Jacob found him on the Mount of Olives, in a small locked cell with a tiny window in the wall. Jacob knocked and the window opened. The deacon did not recognize the former sinner. And how was it possible to recognize in this hermit, withered from fasting, the one who bloomed with beauty? She asked Jacob: “Where did you come from, brother?” “I was sent to you by Bishop Nonnos,” he answered. - May he pray for me! “He is truly a saint of God,” she said, and immediately closing the window, she began to chant prayers. The deacon prayed at the wall of her cell and left with great benefit from having seen an angel. Returning to Jerusalem, Jacob began to visit the monasteries. In all the monasteries they talked about Mr. Pelagius. Then Jacob decided to visit him again to take advantage of his saving instructions. But when he came to the cell and began to call Pelagius, there was no answer. Jacob waited a day, and another, and a third, but to no avail. Then the deacon decided to look through the window and saw that Monk Pelagius had died. In Jerusalem, Jacob told the bishop about what had happened, and the holy fathers and monks from different monasteries went to the Mount of Olives and broke down the door to the cell. The body of the deceased saint was taken outside and, when they began to prepare for burial, they learned that Pelagius was a woman. They wanted to hide it, but the people found out the truth. Shedding tears, people exclaimed: “Glory to You, Lord Jesus, that You have hidden saints on earth, not only men, but also wives.” The rumor about the death of the ascetic, who worked miracles, quickly spread, and monks gathered from all the surrounding monasteries for Pelagia’s funeral. With candles and lamps, with the singing of sacred hymns, they solemnly buried the remains.
Martyr Pelagia
When the wicked Roman emperor Diocletian initiated persecution against Christians, then many of them, fearing torture, fled to the mountains. But those Christians who were strong in faith and feared God more than people, remained with the churches to which they belonged, and fervently prayed to God to strengthen them for feat, so that they would emerge victorious from the upcoming struggle.
At this time, Klinon was the bishop in the city of Tarsus. He converted to the true God and baptized many pagans; joining them, like a good shepherd, to the flock of Christ, he exhorted each of them to courageously stand for the confession of the name of Christ and lay down his soul for Him, with the undoubted hope of receiving from Him the crown of victory in the heavenly kingdom.
Diocletian, who was then in Cilicia, heard about this courageous bishop, ordered to seize him and ordered the city gates to be closed so that he could not escape from the city by flight. But even before the order, the bishop received a revelation from God about everything that was about to happen, and secretly from everyone he left the city, since his hour had not yet come. He, along with other Christians, hid in the mountains and deserts. Diocletian, irritated by the fact that he could not find the bishop, turned his rage on those whom the bishop had led to Christ; Having ordered the capture of many of the newly converted Christians, he imprisoned them.
At this time, in the city of Tarsus lived a girl named Pelagia, of noble birth, famous for her wealth and beauty, filled with the fear of God and chastity. When she heard from Christians about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, her heart was inflamed with love for Him, she believed in Him and vowed not to unite in marriage with any mortal people, deciding to marry the heavenly, immortal, incorruptible Bridegroom; Having believed in Christ, she desired to be worthy of holy baptism.
But when she learned that the Christian bishop had left the city, she was greatly saddened, because she wanted to see him and receive holy baptism at his hands. Until then, she had not yet seen the bishop and had only heard about him. Since Pelagia’s mother, a widow, was devoted to idolatry, Pelagia hid from her both her faith in Christ and her intentions.
At this time, the king's son heard about the amazing beauty of the maiden Pelagia; he had the opportunity to see her. He sent honorable men to her, who were instructed to convey to Pelagia the intention of the king’s son to marry her.
Pelagia's mother was very happy with this turn of events, but the holy maiden decided otherwise. Having made the sign of the cross, she answered the messengers without fear: “I have already become engaged to the Son of God, the Immortal King.”
With this answer, the messengers returned to the king's son.
Hearing the answer of Saint Pelagia, the royal son became very angry; He planned to take cruel revenge on the holy maiden, but not now, because he hoped that the maiden would come to her senses and fulfill his wish.
Meanwhile, Pelagia told her mother that she wanted to visit her nurse, whom she had not seen for a long time. Her nurse lived outside the city, and Pelagia was about to leave home with the goal of finding a Christian bishop, about whose place of secret refuge she had heard from some Christians. The mother of Saint Pelagia, at the devil’s instigation, did not agree to fulfill her daughter’s request and resolutely opposed her, saying: “You cannot go there now; You’ll go another time.”
This greatly saddened Pelagia.
That same night the Lord appeared to her in the form of Bishop Klinon, without telling her anything. She was surprised at this vision, because the honest face of the one who appeared to her shone with light and his attire was marvelous.
Having woken up, she secretly sent two of her most faithful eunuchs to the prison of the Christians imprisoned there, in order to question them about the bishop’s appearance. They carried out the assignment and returned with a detailed description of the bishop's appearance. The honest girl was amazed that the appearance of the bishop, according to them, was in every way consistent with what she had seen in her dream, and she realized that she had seen the bishop in her dream. Filled with joy, she longed with all her heart to see him in reality and earnestly prayed to God in these words: “Give me, Lord, to see Your servant, the messenger of Your good things, and do not deprive me of Your holy sacraments.”
After that, she again began to ask her mother to let her go to the nurse, saying that she missed her, having not seen her for so long. Her mother didn’t want to let her go. But fearing that she would get sick from sadness, her mother fulfilled her request and ordered chariots, horses and servants to be prepared for the journey. Then, having dressed Pelagia, as the bride of the king’s son, in royal purple and adorned her with gold attire and precious stones, she sent her away, accompanied by her most trusted servants and eunuchs in a luxurious chariot with the parting words: “Go, be healthy, my daughter, and convey greetings from me to my nurse."
Pelagia went joyfully, surrounded by many servants. Having driven away from the city about ten fields, they approached one mountain covered with dense forest. At this time, one of her servants, named Longinus, saw an honest husband coming down from the mountain. It was Bishop Klinon, who, at God’s discretion, happened to meet his companions here. Longinus, who was a secret Christian, recognized this man as Bishop Clinon and said to another servant, a secret Christian:
- Brother Julian! Do you recognize the husband walking towards us? This is the man of God, Bishop Klinon, whose fame spreads throughout the east because of the miracles he performed; The king, having learned about him, searched for him for a long time, but could not find him, and for this he initiated a persecution against Christians.
This conversation between Longinus and Julian was heard by those two eunuchs whom Pelagia sent to the Christians’ prison to find out about the bishop’s appearance. They told what they heard to Pelagia.
The holy maiden stopped the chariot and, getting off it, headed towards the man of God. She ordered her servants to stay away and sit down to rest in the shade of the trees, since she did not want the pagans to hear about the mysteries of the holy Christian faith. Approaching the man of God, she greeted him with these words:
- Rejoice, servant of Christ!
The bishop answered her:
- May the peace of my Christ be with you, young lady.
Pelagia continued:
“Blessed be God, who showed me in a vision the likeness of your face and sent you to me to save my soul from destruction.” I pray to you in the name of God, Whom you serve, reveal to me whether you are Klinon, a Christian bishop?
Klinon answered her:
“I am the shepherd of Christ’s verbal sheep, who hope to receive eternal life.”
“What do you command your sheep to do so that they can receive eternal life?” - Pelagia asked the bishop.
“I teach them to know the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and instruct them to lead a godly life in the fear of God and love for Christ.”
“Tell me, my father, what should those who want to unite with your God first of all do?”
“I proclaim to you,” was the bishop’s answer, “baptism for the remission of sins and eternal life; nothing could be more needed than this.
Falling at the feet of the bishop, Pelagia said with a prayer:
- Have pity on me, lord, and give me your gift! Since I have been talking with you, the light of God has shone in my heart, I have renounced Satan, his servants, and his wiles, and the soulless idols, which I have long hated, in which there is not life, but death and eternal destruction. Now I pray to the Heavenly God that He will notify me, unworthy, to His Son, Who enlightened my heart, for He is the Sun of righteousness.
Hearing this, the bishop was amazed at this girl’s great love for God and rejoiced in her spirit. Then, raising his hands to the sky, he began to pray with these words: “God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! You, who are in heaven and have called this maiden to know You, send her the holy baptism of Your beloved Son.”
This is how the bishop prayed.
Suddenly a fountain of living water suddenly flowed out of the ground before them. Seeing such a miracle, the bishop glorified God, saying:
“Great are You, our God, Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit, who has given people an inheritance of baptism into eternal life.” Lord Knower of Hearts! The humility of Your servant is open before You. You see that I am ashamed to baptize this girl. So You, O Almighty, arrange everything by Your guidance, and teach me what to do.
“Sir, my father,” Pelagia exclaimed at this time, “your prayer has been heard; Here I see two luminous young men standing at the source and holding light veils in their hands. You can baptize me without embarrassment.
Having thanked God, the bishop approached the source and saw two angels of God, who, as Pelagia said, were holding a blanket whiter than snow to cover the girl’s body. Then the bishop blessed the water, saying the following prayer over it:
- King of all creation, “ You make Your angels spirits, Your servants a blazing fire ” (Ps. 103:4), make me worthy to offer You this maiden whom You sent to me as a spiritual sacrifice. Number her among Thy chosen ones, so that on the day of Thy Kingdom she, too, with the five wise virgins, may enter the chamber of Thy Christ, with a lighted lamp.
Having completed the prayer, the bishop granted holy baptism to blessed Pelagia in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and communed her with a part of the body of Christ, which he carried with him.
After the sacrament had been completed, Saint Pelagia bowed to the bishop and, kissing his feet, said to him:
“My lord, honest father, pray to the Lord for me, so that He might strengthen me with His Holy Spirit.”
The bishop told her:
- God, to whom you have given yourself, “ may He send you help from the sanctuary ” (Ps. 19:3) of His dwelling and may He grant you victory over your enemies.
Filled with great joy from the Holy Spirit, Pelagia said to the bishop:
- Father, I pray to you in the name of God, who granted me salvation through you: do not refuse me my request: from your holy hands I received the incorruptible purple of the Eternal King; therefore, I should not now wear this earthly, perishable purple and these vain jewelry. Take them from me, sell them and distribute the money received for them to those in need, since all these jewels arouse in me only one disgust.
The bishop answered her:
- It is indecent for me to take this into my hands; however, I will take this from you, so as not to offend you, since you ask me in the name of God. Okay, I'll grant your wish.
“I heard,” Pelagia said to this, “that our Lord says in His Holy Gospel: “ No one can serve two masters.” You cannot serve God and mammon ” (Matthew 6:24). Therefore, I, wanting to serve the One God, reject mammon.
The bishop was surprised at the intelligence of Saint Pelagia. Having prayed to God for her, he blessed her and left her.
Saint Pelagia, greatly rejoicing in the Holy Spirit, glorified and thanked God with all her heart for having made her worthy to receive heavenly gifts.
When she reached the servants who were waiting for her, she saw that their eyes were darkened by demonic obsession: they saw nothing and did not know where they needed to go. The saint, realizing that this happened due to the action of the enemy of our salvation, made the sign of the cross over each of the servants and thereby delivered them from blindness; they began to see well again, as before.
Having regained their sight, the servants began to question Saint Pelagia:
- Madam! Where is the person you were talking to? In your absence, we saw the Blessed Woman standing between you and us with two virgins; on her head were two diadems; above the diadems a cross shone.
Saint Pelagia ordered the servants to be silent; then she began to teach them faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The servants answered her:
“How can we not believe, our lady, in the One who, after death, will deliver us from eternal torment and who alone has the power to give us eternal life in heaven!”
The saint rejoiced when she saw the conversion of her servants, and advised them to immediately begin holy baptism. Then, getting into the chariot, she continued on her way to her nurse.
The nurse came out to meet her pet and said that she had become even more beautiful than she was before, but was surprised that she was dressed so simply and without any decoration.
After the first joy of the meeting, the nurse noticed a great change in the character of Saint Pelagia: before she was proud and arrogant, but now she became humble and meek; formerly she was talkative, but now she is silent; before she loved various delicate dishes, but now she was in fasting and abstinence, taking very little food; formerly she spent her days in idleness and pleasure, and at night she rested her body on a soft bed; Now she spent most of the day in prayer, resting on a hard bed, and at night she also got up to pray. From all these signs, the nurse realized that Pelagia had accepted the Christian faith. Then she told her:
- My dear daughter! Just as you previously surprised the royal son and everyone who met you with your great physical beauty, so now try to please the Son of God, the Eternal King, to whom you have betrothed yourself as a bride, with your true spiritual beauty. I see that you have believed in the true God of heaven. May He strengthen you for the feat of suffering for Him, may He give you victory over the enemy, and may He crown you in His glory with a crown of triumph. And now, my daughter, quickly leave me in peace; I don’t want you to linger in my house, I don’t dare keep you, because I’m afraid of the wrath of the king’s son, who considers you his bride. However, do not think that I am afraid for myself: if I had suffered with you, then with you I would have accepted a reward from God; but I am afraid for my whole family and for all my relatives. If the royal son, who is thinking of becoming your husband, finds out that you are a Christian, and also that you are staying in my house, then he will destroy me and my entire family.
Having heard these words of her nurse, Saint Pelagia, with her face downcast, went back to her mother.
When Pelagia approached her house, her mother came out to meet her. Seeing her daughter not in royal purple and without precious jewelry, but in simple clothes, she was horrified and bewildered.
One of the servants told her about everything that happened on the way, told her how Pelagia received holy baptism from a Christian bishop. Hearing about this, her mother seemed to be deadened in body and, due to great sorrow, lay for a long time on her bed as if dead. Then, having come to her senses, she, without telling her daughter anything, hurried to the king and asked to give her soldiers to find and capture the bishop who converted her daughter to Christianity and bring him to trial. The king gave her many warriors, horse and foot.
Meanwhile, blessed Pelagia, seeing her mother in great anger, took with her several servants who believed in Christ, secretly left the house with them and, having crossed the river called Cydnus, decided to hide here.
Her mother, returning home with the soldiers and not finding Pelagia at home, became even more saddened and sent soldiers everywhere, ordering them to look for Pelagia and Bishop Klinon.
The soldiers dispersed throughout the surrounding area, asking about Pelagia along the roads and looking for her throughout the mountains and deserts, but they could not find her, because she was miraculously protected by God Himself. Saint Pelagia, sitting on the bank of the river, saw warriors on the opposite bank looking for her; but the soldiers, whose bodily eyes were closed at this time by God’s dispensation, did not see either her or her companions. Then the saint said to her servants:
- Do you see how our Lord loves and covers His servants who trust in Him?
After an intensified fruitless search, the soldiers returned without finding either the bishop or Pelagia. This plunged Pelagia's mother into the greatest grief and sadness, so that she seemed barely alive.
Then Pelagia, feeling in her heart the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and inflamed with love for her Heavenly Bridegroom to such an extent that she was ready to give herself up to torture for the name of Christ, went to her mother’s house and began to exhort her to leave her false sorrow:
“Why,” Pelagia said to her mother, “are you so angry?” Why don't you want to know the truth? You were not ashamed to summon soldiers to search for the holy man who honors the Most High God, the Creator of all creation. Aren't you ashamed to raise a fight against the God of heaven! Don’t you know that His servant, the bishop, could by prayer beg Him to send one of His angels to him, who would destroy all the military regiments in the blink of an eye?
Saint Pelagia spoke this and much more about the Lord Jesus Christ, exhorting her mother to know the true God, but without any success, since her mother was blinded by madness and hardened by malice. She, not heeding her daughter’s divinely inspired words, sent the following message to the king’s son: “Your betrothed has dedicated herself to the Christian God.”
Hearing this, the young man was very upset. His hopes were dashed. He remembered how many Christians his father had tortured, without convincing any of them to submit to him. In confusion and sadness, he sat alone in his room and reasoned with himself like this: “If Pelagia believed in the Christian God and became engaged to Him, then she would never agree to leave Him and become my wife. What should I do? Should I hand her over to torment, it will lead to nothing, since I know with what great joy Christians give themselves up to torment and the cruelest death for their God. Pelagia will do the same; Of course, she would rather die than become my wife; All that remains for me is shame and even greater grief. I will feel shame and disgrace from this mockery of me from Christians, and sadness and grief from her death, since I love her immensely and am all burning with the fire of love for her. I know my fate! In order not to look at her torment and to no longer suffer the torments of a heart wounded by love, I will kill myself, since it is better for me to die once than to experience the pangs of death every day, despised and hated because of the love with which I burn.”
Having said this, the young man took out his sword, exposed his chest and, putting the tip of the sword to his chest, said with tears:
- Let that hour be cursed in which my eyes saw great beauty, which I can neither enjoy nor get enough of. But now, at once, I will be freed from all my suffering!
After these words, the young man struck himself hard in the chest with a sword and, piercing it, fell on the sword and died.
Pelagia's mother, having learned about this, was horrified, fearing that King Diocletian would execute her and her entire family out of revenge for her son. Therefore, she herself tied up her daughter and brought her to the king, placing the blame for the death of his son on her alone and handing her over to death and execution. Diocletian, looking at the mother and daughter, said to them with great sadness in his heart:
- What did you do? You killed my son.
His mother answered him like this:
“So I brought to you the person responsible for the death of your son.” Execute her and avenge this death.
Meanwhile, Diocletian gazed at the great beauty of Pelagia, who was more beautiful than all his wives and concubines, so that he had never seen such a beautiful woman. He was no longer thinking about execution or revenge, but about satisfying the passion that had flared up in him. He began to figure out how to turn Pelagia away from Christ and take him as his wife. He ordered that a lot of gold and precious stones be brought and placed in front of the girl, wanting to seduce the bride of Christ with this, and he gave her mother a hundred talents of gold and sent her away. She returned to her home, rejoicing with demonic joy. Saint Pelagia was left in the royal chamber in the care of the royal maids.
The next day, the king ordered the holy maiden to be brought to him with honor, and he himself sat on the throne in all his splendor, with all his advisers. Many warriors surrounded him. Before such a great gathering, he addressed the holy maiden with these words:
“I ask one thing from you, Pelagia, that you reject Christ; I will take you into marriage, and you will be the first in my palace; I will place a royal crown on you, and you will possess all my kingdom together with me. If I have a son from you, then after me he will sit on my throne.
Saint Pelagia, filled with divine jealousy, answered him without fear:
“You are going crazy, king, telling me such things!” Know that I will not fulfill your desire, for I abhor your vile marriage, since I have a Bridegroom - Christ, the King of Heaven; I do not desire your royal, vain and short-lived crown, for my Lord has three incorruptible crowns prepared for me in the kingdom of heaven. The first is for faith, since I believed with all my heart in the true God; the second - for purity, since I handed over my virginity to Him; the third is for martyrdom, since I want to accept every torment for Him and lay down my soul for the sake of my love for Him.
Hearing such words, Diocletian became very angry and ordered the copper ox to be set on fire, hoping to frighten the holy maiden. When the ox was red-hot, so that sparks flew from it, like from a burning coal, they brought the holy maiden to it. Among the people gathered for this spectacle there were many secret Christians. Seeing the girl preparing for torment, they secretly prayed to God for her, so that He would strengthen her from above with His unknown power. The king and nobles, both with caresses and threats, convinced her to fulfill the royal desire, but she was unshakable in her decision.
Then the king ordered to take off all her clothes. Seeing that they wanted to expose her, the saint loudly said to Diocletian:
“It would be better if you remembered, king, about your wives and concubines, since I have the same body as them.”
But the king, inflamed with lust and wanting to satiate his gaze with the spectacle of maiden nudity, ordered her to be exposed as soon as possible. But the martyr, without waiting for the hands of the wicked to touch her, made the sign of the cross, quickly took off all her clothes, threw them to the face of the king and stood naked before the eyes of angels and people, flaunting herself, like a royal scarlet, with a single girlish shame . And she began to reproach the king in these words:
“I consider you, king, like that serpent who deceived Eve (Gen. 3:1-6) and incited Cain to kill Abel (Gen. 4: 2-16), and that demon who asked God for permission to tempt the righteous Job (Job 1:6-12). But soon, enemy of Christ, you will perish along with all your like-minded people.
Having said this, she again made the sign of the cross on herself and went to the red-hot ox herself, without waiting to be thrown there. When she took hold of this ox with her hands, her hands melted like wax from a fierce fire. But she, as if feeling no pain, put her head into the hole of the ox and, going inside it, began to loudly glorify God, saying:
- Glory to You, Lord, Only Begotten Son of the Most High God, for strengthening me, weak, for this feat and helping me defeat the devil and his wiles. For that be glory and worship to You and Your Beginning Father with the Holy Spirit forever.
Having said this, the saint betrayed her soul into the hands of her Most Pure and Immortal Bridegroom and entered with him into the heavenly palace amid the rejoicing and singing of the angelic powers. Her venerable body melted like butter in the copper willow and spread out like fragrant ointment, so that the whole city was filled with an indescribable fragrance. The wicked king ordered her honest bones to be thrown out of the city, and they were taken to a mountain called Litaton. Four lions, coming from the desert, sat down near them, protecting them from other animals and carnivorous birds.
Bishop Klinon had a revelation from God about the death of Saint Pelagia and about the place where the bones were located. And the bishop went to that mountain and found here the honest bones of Saint Pelagia and the lions guarding them. The lions, seeing the man of God, approached him and, bowing before him, returned to the desert. The bishop, taking the bones of the holy martyr, carried them to the highest hill of that mountain and laid a stone. Subsequently, during the reign of Emperor Constantine, when piety shone everywhere, he erected a church there over the honest relics of the bride of Christ. On the tombstone, Bishop Klinon made the following inscription: “The holy maiden Pelagia, who dedicated herself to God and fought for the truth to the end, rests here with her relics, and her soul reigns in heaven with the angels in the glory of Christ.”
This is how the holy martyr Pelagia completed her feat for Christ our Lord, to whom belongs glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and unto the ages of ages.
Kontakion, tone 3:
Having despised time, and having been a partaker of heavenly blessings, having accepted the crown of suffering for the sake of it, the all-honorable Pelagie, as if you brought a gift of blood streams to the Master Christ. Pray to save us, who honor your memory, from troubles.
Notes:
[] Emperor Diocletian ruled the Roman Empire from 284 to 305.
[] Tarsus is a large and populated city in ancient times in Cilicia, Asia Minor region. Founded by the Assyrian king Sennacherib (from 705 to 681 BC). Thanks to its position near the river, Kidna conducted great trade. — For Christians, the city of Tarsus is important as the birthplace and initial residence of the Holy Apostle Paul. Called by the Lord Himself to his great ministry, the Apostle Paul initially prepared to preach in Tarsus (see Acts 9:11-30). Currently, Tars is a small town in the Adana vilayet with 8,000 inhabitants and belongs to Turkey. It is remarkable that to this day the main occupation of the inhabitants of Tarsus and its environs is the manufacture of carpets, felts for tents and all kinds of utensils, as it was in the time of the Apostle Paul, who earned his livelihood by making tents (Acts 18:3).
[] Diocletian had no sons. The “royal son” mentioned here should be understood - as St. Demetrius of Rostov - a young man taken by Diocletian to be raised and adopted with the right to inherit the royal throne.
[] A eunuch is a castrated servant destined for service in the harems of the East. The custom of castration (castration) of servants took place in ancient Greece and Rome, but was especially widespread in ancient times in Asia Minor.
[] Field is a measure of length equal to approximately 690 of our fathoms.
[] See the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13).
[] Mammon is the name of the Syrian deity, the patron of wealth. In a figurative sense, “mammon” generally meant wealth and earthly blessings.
[] Obviously, the wonderful Woman who appeared was the Mother of God.
[] Cydnus - now Tersus-Chai - a small river in Cilicia; originates on the Taurus and flows through the city of Tarsus.
[] Talent is an ingot of silver or gold of varying sizes and values, depending on the time and place of circulation. The ancient Hebrew talent was equal to our money - gold - 26,875 rubles, silver - 2016 rubles. An ancient Greek gold talent was equal to approximately
[] The death of the holy martyr Pelagia followed in 287. In the 8th century, under Emperor Constantine Copronymus (from 741 to 775), her venerable relics were transferred to Constantinople and placed in a temple named after her.
[] Emperor Constantine the Great ruled the western part of the Roman Empire from 306 to 324; as autocrat ruled the West and East from 324 to 337.
Life as presented by St. Demetrius of Rostov
