Saint Pelagia the Penitent

Also known as

• The Beardless Hermit
• Marina

Memorial

• 8 October

Profile

Professional dancer. Attended a sermon by Bishop Nonnus of Edessa during which he spoke of a stripper who worked to make herself beautiful and her dance perfect, but did nothing for the work of God. Pelagia immediately converted, confessed, was baptized, turned away from her former life, moved to Jerusalem, and lived as a hermit the rest of her days, possibly wearing men’s clothes so people would leave her alone.

Patronage

• actresses

Canonized

• Pre-Congregation

Additional Information

• Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
• Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints

MLA Citation

• “Saint Pelagia the Penitent“. Saints.SQPN.com. 13 May 2013. Web. 23 May 2013. <>