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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 virgin in Keynsham (just outside the wonderful city of Bristol), and turned snakes she saw into stone. *********************************** Carolyn Muessig [log in to unmask] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%