Pelagia of Tarsus
Martyr
Commemorated May 4
The holy and glorious Virgin-Martyr Saint Pelagia of Tarsus was a resident of the city of Tarsus in Asia Minor during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian (284-305). She is commemorated May 4 .
According to the tradition of the Church , the son of Diocletian fell in love with the holy maiden, wishing to seek her as his own. When he made advances towards her, Pelagia replied that she could not love him, having sworn herself to Christ , the Bridegroom . In passion, anger, and sorrow, Diocletian's son killed himself. Pelagia was then sent to Rome by her pagan mother, where Diocletian himself asked her to become his wife. She refused, and seeing the cruelty of the tyrannical emperor, she called him insane. The emperor had her burned at the stake, and as her flesh melted like wax, the incense of myrrh emitted from her holy flesh, perfuming the city.
The pagans sent four lions to surround her bones, but instead of consuming them, they protected her remains from vultures until Bishop Linus recovered them. After the legalization of Christianity , Constantine the Great built a church on the site of those remains in her honor.
Troparion
Thy ewe-lamb Pelagia crieth out to Thee with a loud voice, O Jesus: "I love Thee, O my Bridegroom, and, seeking Thee, I pass through many struggles: I am crucified and buried with Thee in Thy baptism,
and suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; I die for Thee that I might live with Thee. As an unblemished sacrifice accept me, who sacrifice myself with love for Thee. By her supplications save Thou our souls, in that Thou art merciful.
Kontakion
Disdaining transitory things, having become a partaker of the good things of heaven and received a crown for thy suffering, O most honored Pelagia, thou didst bring the torrents of thy blood as a gift to Christ the Master. Pray thou, that He deliver from misfortunes us who honor thy memory.