Orthodox Icon of St. Taisia

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October 8th
Kontakion (Tone 2)
Thou didst wear out thy body with fasts, vigils and prayers and pray thy Creator for total forgiveness. Thus thou didst obtain and dost show us the way to repentance, O holy Mother Taisia.

St. Taisia (alt. Thais & Thaisia) lived in Egypt in the 4th century. She was trained as a prostitute by her mother. A disciple of St. Anthony the Great, Paphnutius, determined to save Taisia. He dressed in ordinary clothes, found Taisia in town and gave her a gold coin. She took this as a solicitation and led him to her room. Paphnutius proceded to denounce her sin and called her to repentance. She repented with tears. She gave all of her goods to the poor and joined a monastery of virgins. She stayed secluded in her cell for 3 years, living only on bread and water. The St. Paphnutius visited her and made her leave her cell. She became ill and died. St. Paul the Simple, another disciple of St. Anthony, saw a vision of a most beautiful dwelling prepared for the penitent Taisia in Paradise. She entered into rest in the Lord in about 340.

This Icon is by the hand of Arlene Tilghman.

Order #ati-07