St. Pelagia of Antioch begins as a dazzling beauty obsessed with image, wealth, and attention. During a council in Antioch, Bishop Nonos sees her pass by and is moved to tears, not by lust but by conviction. He asks how much more carefully we should adorn the soul if she spends hours adorning the body. Pelagia hears his preaching on judgment and mercy, writes begging for baptism, and comes with holy desperation. Before all the bishops she confesses, clings to Nonos’ feet, and asks to be made a Christian.
After baptism she faces fierce spiritual warfare, makes the sign of the Cross, and stands firm. She gives away her gold, frees her servants, leaves Antioch, disguises herself as the monk Pelagius, and lives in prayer on the Mount of Olives. Years later, Deacon James finds her face emaciated from fasting and holiness. When she departs, the monks discover she was Pelagia the renowned sinner, now honored as a saint.
This talk calls us to drop judgment, see people with Christ’s eyes, repent with urgency, and count the cost of discipleship. No sin is beyond redemption. Beauty redirected to holiness becomes godliness. Hidden sanctity is known to God.
Highlights
• Image vs inner life. Adorn the soul more than the body.
• Nonos’ tears. See potential, not past.
• Real repentance. Desperate, public, accountable, costly.
• Warfare is real. The Cross is our defense.
• Total surrender. Mercy transforms and sends us out new.
Call to action
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From Scandal to Saint - Part 4: St Pelagia The Harlot

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