By Bishop Grigorios of Mesaoria
Today, our Holy Church honors the memory of the martyr Pelagia, Saint Hilary of the desert, the Wonderworker and Saint Athanasius of Corinth.
Martyr Pelagia lived in Rome and was originally from Tarsus, Cilicia. She saw in a vision an angel inviting her to be baptized a Christian. She then visited the Bishop of Rome and, narrating her vision, asked to be introduced to Christian teaching and baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity.
As soon as her mother learned of her conversion to Christian faith, she became upset and with tears in her eyes called on her to return to the native idolatry.
St. Pelagia regretted the whole development, but remained a steadfast disciple of the resurrected Jesus. When Diocletian’s son, who was engaged to Pelagia, learned of this, grieved to death.
When the emperor was informed of the incident, he called Pelagia and asked for explanations. Immediately, full of anger, he decided to kill her. He ordered to put her in a bronze incandescent ox, where she surrendered her spirit to the Lord Jesus Christ.
St. Pelagia remained an evidence of holiness and of a Christian woman with courage and self-denial.
It is once again confirmed that Christian women are heroines in the arena of spiritual struggle, but also of the daily life, with faith and devotion to the Risen Jesus Christ.
Source: Church of Cyprus