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Venerable Thais 10/21/2013
A repentant harlot. Born in Egypt. As Saint Pelagia, Saint Thais also spent her youth in sinful pleasures. On this road to perdition she was directed by her shameless mother. Yet, God, who is full of mercy and does not desire death of the sinners, nor their perdition, but their salvation, found ways in his Divine Providence to save the sinful Thais. One of the disciples of Saint Anthony the Great, Saint Serapion the Sindonite, heard about Thais, her sinful life and the venom with which she poisoned the souls of many, and made a decision, with God's help, to save her. Serapion dressed as a soldier, took a piece of gold with him and went in the city where he found Thais and gave her the gold. Considering that this man gave her the gold for sinful deed, Thais lead Saint Serapion into her room. Then he opened his blessed mouth, reproached her sins and called her to repent. The soul and conscience of Thais awoke from the lethargy and tears of deep sincere repentance rushed from her eyes. She distributed her wealth to the poor, and following Saint Serration's advice she went to a monastery, where she stayed for three years, withdrawn in a small cell, living on water and bread only. Before her death, Saint Serapion visited her and against her will took her out of the cell. She soon fell ill and surrendered her purified and blessed soul to God. Saint Paul the Simple, also a disciple of Saint Anthony the Great, saw in a vision the wonderful place that God prepared in Heaven for the holy repentant Thais. This holy soul fell asleep in the Lord in 340.
