Famous Women
The Repentant Woman
Many female saints did not begin their lives as saints, but rather attained holiness through repentance.
Examples of these are Rahab the harlot, who was the first among the Gentiles from the people of Jericho to be saved, and became an ancestress of Christ…
And Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, whom David later married, and who was counted worthy to enter the sacred genealogy.
Likewise Mary Magdalene, who had seven demons, followed Christ, and became the first to proclaim the Resurrection…
The Gospel also mentions stories about repentant women: among them the woman who was caught in the very act, whom the Lord defended, saying to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go in peace.”
And the woman who poured the ointment on His feet in the house of the Pharisee, of whom the Lord said that her many sins had been forgiven, because she loved much…
Among the women mentioned by history:
Saint Mary of Egypt, who was transformed not merely from a sinner into one who repented, but rose to the rank of the holy anchorites.
Likewise Saint Pelagia, who after repentance became one of the company of the holy monks.
We also mention, in the context of repentance, Saint Thaïs, for whom heaven bore witness to her salvation on the very day of her repentance, as she departed to heaven in purity…
An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – El-Keraza Magazine – Eighth Year (Issue Forty-One) – 14-10-1977
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