Pelagia the Virgin

Saint Pelagia the Virgin, also called Pelagia of Antioch, was born in Antioch and died a martyr around the year 303, during the fierce Diocletianic Persecution. Still very young—only fifteen—she was alone at home when Roman soldiers came to seize her. Learning that they intended to force her to take part in a public sacrifice to the pagan gods, and fearing also an “unspeakable” violation of her consecrated purity, Pelagia asked permission to change her clothes. Granted this brief mercy, she went up to the roof of her house and, choosing death rather than betrayal of Christ or the loss of her virginity, threw herself into the sea. The Church has long honored her as a virgin martyr, seeing in her final act not despair but a resolute witness to the Lord she loved above life itself. Her courage was praised by great Fathers of the Church, including Ambrose of Milan and John Chrysostom. She is invoked in a special way in Guinzano. Her feast day is October 5.