Pelagia of Tarsus
Roman Catholic Church | |
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Feast | October 8th/May 4 (Greek Orthodox)[2] May 4 (Roman Catholic)[2] |
Pelagia (
Legend
According to tradition, Diocletian's son, the heir to the throne, fell in love with her and wanted to marry Pelagia. She replied that she could not, because she had sworn to preserve her virginity
History
There is little historical base to the story, as Diocletian had a daughter Valeria but no sons—a fact of considerable importance to the history of his reign. However, he did carry out the last intensive persecution of Christians in Roman history, many of whose victims were indeed burned alive. Thus, Pelagia might have been an actual martyr of that time, even if under different circumstances than those recounted in the later story.[citation needed] More probably, commemorations of the historical martyr Pelagia at Tarsus were probably embellished and given a local setting at some point.[2]
Constantine the Great built a church on the reputed site of her remains.
See also
References
Citations
- ^ (in Greek) Ἡ Ἁγία Πελαγία ἡ Μάρτυς. 4 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ a b c d Kirsch (1911).
- ^ Lives of all saints commemorated on May 4. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
Bibliography
- Kirsch, Johann Peter (1911), , Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline, and History of the Catholic Church, Vol. 11, New York: Robert Appleton Co.