3 / 5
Pelagia, the "loose woman"
Pelagia, often referred to as either Pelagia the Penitent, the Hermit, or the Harlot, lived in the 5th century in Antioch. A story attributed to the then deacon of Heliopolis tells that Pelagia was the "foremost actress" and a prominent harlot in Antioch. During one of the councils in the city, she heard bishop Nonnus preaching a sermon on the goodness of Paradise and soon embraced a life of penance.
+

© PD