SAINT THEOCTISTA OF LESBOS, VIRGIN AND HERMITESS - 9 NOVEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN NOVEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 9th of November

SAINT THEOCTISTA OF LESBOS, VIRGIN AND HERMITESS

Saint Theoctista, ascribed of Lesbos (Lesbia), after fleeing from the hostile Arabs, lived for 25 years as a hermitess in the forest on the island of Paros. With the greatest patience she endured the tremendous hardships connected with this  penitential life. Not once did she think of abandoning her faith.

When she was finally discovered by a huntsman, she no longer resembled a human being. Her hair was bleached by the elements, the face disfigured, the body emaciated. She looked like a shadow rather than a living creature. Theoctista took this opportunity to ask the huntsman to have someone bring her Holy Communion. After receiving the same, she gave up the ghost. 

If what has been presented here sounds quite improbable - what has been omitted by us of her story is even more far-fetched. Therefore, seemingly, only so much remains certain that a virgin of her name from Methymna on the island of Lesbos is venerated as a holy hermitess by the Greeks and Latins. The period in which she lived cannot be ascertained. Her name is listed in the Roman Martyrology.*

St Theoctista is also commemorated on November 10.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 5, Augsburg, 1882)

*A hagiography source used by the authors 

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Theoctista may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.