Feast day: October 8

St. Pelagia the Penitent

Penitent · d. c. 457

Patron of Actresses, penitents

By tradition a celebrated actress and courtesan of Antioch, dazzling and notorious, who was pierced by a bishop's sermon, gave away her wealth, and lived out her life as a hermit in men's dress on the Mount of Olives.

The most glamorous woman in the city walked away from fame and riches after a single sermon, and ended her days as an unknown hermit thought to be a man.