Eudokia of Heliopolis
Saint Eudokia (see Other Spellings) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Martyr | |
| Died | 107 |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | 1 March |
Eudokia (Greek Ευδοkία) was a Samarian woman who lived in Heliopolis of Phoenicia (present day Baalbek, Lebanon). She was a very beautiful pagan, and garnered her wealth by attracting wealthy lovers.
Eudokia learned about Christianity from a monk by the name of Germanos. According to legend, Eudokia asked him if she, too, could be saved from Judgment. Germanos instructed her to remain alone in her chamber for one week, fasting and praying. Eudokia followed his instructions, and at the end of the week, she had a vision about the Archangel Michael that assured her of Christ's love for all people. Germanos later baptized her.
At age 30, Eudokia commissioned the building of a monastery near Heliopolis, and dispensed much of her wealth in various charitable projects. She rejected all of her suitors, and when one persistent suitor named Philostratos was struck down because of his persistence, Eudokia prayed for him until he recovered. Philostratos then converted to Christianity.
Eudokia persuaded many pagans to convert to Christianity. Roman officials were angered by her actions, and had her beheaded on 1 March 107 AD.
In Romanians folklore, the figure of Baba Dochia is thought to have taken her name from Eudokia.[1]
Other Spellings
- Latin Eudocia
- Russian/East Slavic Евдокия / Євдокія (Yevdokiya)
- Greek Ευδοκία (Evdokia).
References
- ^ Andreas Johns, Baba Yaga: the ambiguous mother and witch of the Russian folktale (Peter Lang, 2004), 76.