Today, 8 October, is the feast of...
Holy Simeon (first century): The old man present in the temple at Jesus'
presentation.
Pelagia the Penitent (?): Actress of Antioch, converted and baptized by
St Nonnus, after which she put on men's clothes and went to live as a
hermit, 'Pelagius, the beardless monk'.
Thais (?): Egyptian courtesan, converted by St Paphnutius, who locked
her in a cell for three years, facing the east and repeating 'Thou who
hast created me, have pity on me'; she died 15 days after leaving the
cell.
Reparata, virgin and martyr (?): At age 12, thrown into a fire by
Romans, where she stood unharmed and sang God's praises until removed
and beheaded.
Demetrius, martyr (?): Cult centred in Salonika, where miraculous oil
exuded from his relics and where known as 'Megalomartyr' (the great
martyr); significant medieval cult as patron of soldiers.
Keyne, virgin (sixth century): Venerated in south Wales and west England
- lived as a virgin in Keynsham (just outside the wonderful city of
Bristol), and turned snakes she saw into stone.
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Carolyn Muessig
Department of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Bristol
3 Woodland Road
Bristol BS8 1TB
UK
fax: +44.117.929.7850
phone: +44.117.928.8168
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