Every October 8 we remember two holy women who lived between the 4th and 5th centuries, they are Tais and Pelagia. Although they did not know each other, tradition has united them due to the similarity of their stories; especially, because both of them completely turned their lives around after hearing about Christ. Saint Tais lived in Alexandria (Egypt) and Saint Pelagia in Antioch (modern Türkiye).
Tais and Pelagia, being very young, fell seduced by the debauchery, lust and influence of the pagan culture that surrounded them. Despite this, when they received the announcement of the Gospel they left everything behind to follow her example, repair the damage they did to themselves and pursue holiness. Tais was a famous prostitute and Pelagia a courtly dancer.
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Rescued from the prostitute
Saint Tais was raised as a Christian, but abandoned her faith and completely distanced herself from God, attracted by riches, luxury and carnal pleasures. Her estrangement was such that it was impossible to recognize her as a Christian anymore, given how disfigured her soul was. However, in the eyes of God she was still his beloved daughter whom he would not stop searching for like a lost sheep.
According to the testimony attributed to Bishop Saint Pafnutius – the saint of the Thebaid desert – Tais managed to rediscover his faith. The saint relates how, after having lived among perdition and scandal, and having shamed his Christian brothers, Tais gave in to his insistent announcement and let the good Jesus touch his heart. Regretful, the young woman begged for forgiveness and changed her life.
Saint Tais later entered a monastery where she would live for about three years, in an isolated cell, in a regime of penance and dedicated to prayer. After that period, she integrated into the life of the monastery, although not for long: she would die two weeks later, at peace and reconciled with the Creator. This happened around the year 348.
Tais appears in the Orthodox Menologies (Orthodox calendar) and the Eastern Catholic Churches honor his memory to this day. She is the patron saint of Alexandria and is usually represented dressed in rich and colorful silks, a mirror near her figure or in her hand – a symbol of vanity – and a pearl necklace, as representing the futility of things that are acquired far from God. .
Free from a courtly life
Pelagia, on the other hand, was born and raised as a pagan and her conversion to Christianity occurred through the mediation of the bishop of Antioch, Nonus, anchorite of Tabenas. It was enough for the saint to hear him preach for God to move her heart towards a sincere conversion, and she asked for baptism. Pelagia exchanged dances, masks and beads for penance and hours of prayer.
Once baptized, the woman moved to Jerusalem, where she would live in a monastery near the Mount of Olives. She died around the year 468. She is the patron saint of comedians and repentants.
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If you want to know more about Santa Tais, you can read the following article: https://ec.aciprensa.com/wiki/Santa_Ta%C3%ADs.
About Saint Pelagia, the Catholic Encyclopedia also has an article that you can consult: https://ec.aciprensa.com/wiki/Santa_Pelagia.
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