Saint Pelagia of Tarsus
memorial
4 May
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In or around the year 300 or so, the beautiful maiden, Pelagia was betrothed to the son of Emperor Diocletian. Early Christian women are always beautiful for some reason. Anyhoo…the Emperor’s son must have been a real yahoo, because Our Saint today ran away from the wedding, and encountered a local priest who introduced her to Jesus and baptized her.
On her return, Diocletian’s son was so embarrassed, at his object of desire’s new spiritual affiliation, he killed himself. Diocletian offered to spare Pelagia’s life if she would instead, marry him instead of the dead son. Naturally she refused.
Diocletian, did not suffer this rejection wll, he had Pelagia roasted alive in the belly of a bronze ox. It is said her melted flesh smelled like sweet myrrh.
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