Saint Pelagia the Penitent, once a famed actress and possibly a courtesan in Antioch, was known for her glamorous attire and extravagant lifestyle. One day, adorned in gold and jewels, she rode past a gathering of bishops on her donkey. All turned away, except Bishop Nonnus, who remarked, with tears in his eyes, how much care she took in her appearance for people, while they took little care in preparing their souls for God.

That evening, Nonnus dreamt of a black dove tainted with soot. He cleansed it in baptismal waters, transforming it into a pure, white dove that took flight.

The following Sunday, moved by Nonnus’s sermon, a tearful Pelagia entered the church, seeking redemption. Meeting the assembly of bishops, she fell at Nonnus’s feet, confessed her sins, and expressed her desire for baptism. After Nonnus baptized her, she renounced her past life and donated all her wealth for the needy, with Nonnus as the intermediary.

Not long after, she vanished, leaving behind only the white robes from her baptism. Nonnus, it was said, had given her his own monkish garments.

Years later, Deacon James, an acquaintance of Nonnus, was on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Nonnus asked him to inquire about a monk named “Pelagius”, a hermit living on the Mount of Olives. James found the monk, who spoke highly of Nonnus. However, during a subsequent visit, James discovered the monk had passed away. The surprise came when the local monks, preparing the body for burial, discovered that the revered monk, Pelagius, was in fact a woman. News of the ascetic woman, once the dazzling Pelagia of Antioch, spread far and wide. In a grand procession, with lights and hymns, she was laid to rest, a symbol of profound transformation and redemption.

Photo credit: Sharon Mollerus via Flickr
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15 COMMENTS

  1. ST.PELAGIA THE PENITENT PRAY AND SAVE NE FROM THE EVIL AROUND ME AND HEKP MEND THE FAMILY PROBLEMS I CA– USED WITH MY SISTER AND MY FRIENDS AND CAUSING FUNDS TO BE SPENT UNWISLEY BY ME ABD FRIEND I HAD HELPED. RHANKS AND HELP MY FAMILY IN PERGATORY AND ALSO JOHN REEDAND LARRY FAUST. AND FRIEND JOSH THERE TOO.

  2. Thank you so conforting to read your page, its a great consolation on the days when the many anxities seem to be upmost in my mind. After read you page and the many submission by others I feel so much better. Pleas continue to pray for my family especially the younger ones as they face the many changes in their lives.May the Holy Spiirt give them the necessary gifts and may Our Blessed Mother give us ALL courage – May our brothers and sisters join us in pray – Thank you

  3. May God bless, through the intercession of Saint Pelagia the Penitent, all men and women who are persecuted for their faith by overt and disguised enemies of the Church. Bishops who despise those who won’t go along with their heresy, blasphemy, betrayal, sacrilege and desecration of our holy spaces. Holy priests like Rev. Paul John Kalchik of Chicago diocese, Rev. Perrone of Detroit diocese, Archbishop Vigano and Cardinal Zen, etc. Guardian Angels accompany them on their weary road, protect them from prowling evil, embolden their fading zeal, and deliver to them consolation from our prayers, fasting, penance and reparation. John the Baptist and other hermits, show us how to make suitable mortifications for ourselves and others. Amen.

  4. the RC sisters of the sacred heart of jesus and mary , abused , sold , stole babies from birth mothers handing the little ones to unknown to the birth parents with names changed.birth dates altered , so that they ( mother and child could never be reunited )…refer Philomena plus another 6000…St Peraglias , mother and baby home Highgate , uk and Desboeough eire …

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