Saint Pelagia of Antioch

Pelagia, distinguished as Pelagia of Antioch and Pelagia the Penitent, was a Christian saint who lived during the 4th or 5th century. She is known for her extreme asceticism, which led to her emaciation so severe that she could no longer be recognized. According to Orthodox tradition, Pelagia died in 457 and was buried on the Mount of Olives. Her feast day was originally celebrated on October 8, along with Saints Pelagia the Virgin and Pelagia of Tarsus. Upon her death, her gender identity became a subject of debate due to physical descriptors often leaning towards masculine within the mythos surrounding her life.