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E02571: The Penance of *Pelagia (recluse of Jerusalem, 5th c., S00250), a Greek hagiographical novel by a certain Iakobos, recounts the conversion of an actress from Antioch, who later lives as a recluse in Jerusalem, disguised as a man. Probably written in Palestine, Egypt, or Antioch before 600.
online resource
posted on 2017-03-14, 00:00 authored by BryanIakobos, The Penance of *Pelagia (BHG 1478)
Summary:
The author is a certain Iakobos, deacon and disciple of bishop Nonnos, a former Tabennesiot monk. They visit Antioch together with a number of other bishops, at the invitation of the bishop of Antioch, and lodge at the shrine of the martyr *Ioulianos. While sitting by the gates of the martyrion, the chief actress of Antioch with her impressive jewels and large entourage passes by them. Nonnos is moved to tears, realising that the actress makes greater effort to beautify herself for her lovers than the bishops to beautify their souls for God. Later, he has a dream vision of a dirty dove which he cleans in the font of the church, a premonition of the conversion of the actress.
Nonnos joins the other bishops for a service at the great church of Antioch, where he gives a moving sermon. The actress happens to be in the congregation, and his homily affects her deeply. She requests to meet Nonnos, confesses her sins and is baptised. At baptism she reports that her name is Pelagia, though the city knows her as Margarito (‘pearl’). After her baptism, the Devil appears twice and complains at having been robbed of his servant, but he is sent away by Pelagia. Three days later, she offers all her property to the bishop in order that it be distributed for charity, and frees all the slaves of her household. Eight days later, Pelagia disappears from the city.
Three years later, the author, Iakobos, goes on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Instructed by Bishop Nonnos, he seeks out a certain holy recluse, known as Pelagios the Eunuch (who is in fact Pelagia). The saint recognises Iakobos, but he cannot recognise her, because none of her beauty can be seen on her body any more. Eight days later, it is known that the wonderworking Pelagios has died. All the monks from the region gather together for the burial and, while anointing the body, they find out that the saint was a woman. Virgins from the surrounding nunneries gather together and Pelagia is buried.
Text: Petitmengin 1981. Summary: E. Rizos.
Summary:
The author is a certain Iakobos, deacon and disciple of bishop Nonnos, a former Tabennesiot monk. They visit Antioch together with a number of other bishops, at the invitation of the bishop of Antioch, and lodge at the shrine of the martyr *Ioulianos. While sitting by the gates of the martyrion, the chief actress of Antioch with her impressive jewels and large entourage passes by them. Nonnos is moved to tears, realising that the actress makes greater effort to beautify herself for her lovers than the bishops to beautify their souls for God. Later, he has a dream vision of a dirty dove which he cleans in the font of the church, a premonition of the conversion of the actress.
Nonnos joins the other bishops for a service at the great church of Antioch, where he gives a moving sermon. The actress happens to be in the congregation, and his homily affects her deeply. She requests to meet Nonnos, confesses her sins and is baptised. At baptism she reports that her name is Pelagia, though the city knows her as Margarito (‘pearl’). After her baptism, the Devil appears twice and complains at having been robbed of his servant, but he is sent away by Pelagia. Three days later, she offers all her property to the bishop in order that it be distributed for charity, and frees all the slaves of her household. Eight days later, Pelagia disappears from the city.
Three years later, the author, Iakobos, goes on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Instructed by Bishop Nonnos, he seeks out a certain holy recluse, known as Pelagios the Eunuch (who is in fact Pelagia). The saint recognises Iakobos, but he cannot recognise her, because none of her beauty can be seen on her body any more. Eight days later, it is known that the wonderworking Pelagios has died. All the monks from the region gather together for the burial and, while anointing the body, they find out that the saint was a woman. Virgins from the surrounding nunneries gather together and Pelagia is buried.
Text: Petitmengin 1981. Summary: E. Rizos.
History
Evidence ID
E02571Saint Name
Pelagia the Penitent, 5th-century recluse in Jerusalem : S00250 Julian, martyr in Cilicia, ob. c. 303-311 : S00305Saint Name in Source
Πελαγία ἸουλιανόςRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Literary - Hagiographical - Lives of saintLanguage
- Greek
