Saint Pelagia the Penitent Framed Canvas Icon

Pelagia lived as a celebrated and extravagantly wealthy actress and courtesan in the city of Antioch before a chance encounter with a group of bishops, one of whom, Bishop Nonnus, wept openly at the sight of her worldly splendour and the state of her soul, moved her to seek out his preaching and ultimately to embrace a complete conversion to Christian faith. She gave away the whole of her considerable fortune to the poor and then disappeared from Antioch entirely, disguising herself as a man and travelling to the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, where she lived for years as a hermit known to others only as the monk Pelagius, her true identity and even her sex remaining entirely unknown to those around her. It was only after her death, when monks came to prepare the body of the revered hermit Pelagius for burial, that her true identity as a woman and as the former Pelagia of Antioch was finally discovered, a revelation that astonished the very community that had known her for years under an assumed name. She remains, alongside Saint Mary of Egypt, one of the great penitent saints of the early Church, her story a striking witness that the path of repentance can lead a soul to depths of hidden holiness unknown even to those living closest beside it.

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet... and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew 6:6)

O holy Mother Pelagia, who didst hide thy true self from the world while seeking only to be known by God, intercede for us, that whatever transformation God works within us, we too may seek His approval above the recognition of others. Amen.

This framed canvas makes a beautiful and cherished gift for baptisms, name days, Christmas, Easter, or any occasion where the Orthodox faith is celebrated.

Product Details:

• Premium canvas print, framed and ready to hang
• Available in Natural or Black frame
• Canvas print area: 12 x 18 inches
• Overall framed size: 13 x 20 inches (frame depth 1.6 inches)
• Vivid, fade-resistant print quality
• A meaningful gift for baptisms, name days, and feast days

Shipping:

• Carefully packaged to arrive in perfect condition
• Produced and dispatched by our trusted print partner
• Please allow standard production and delivery time at checkout

A daily reminder of faith, for yourself or someone you love.