Eudokia of Heliopolis

Eudokia (Greek Ευδοκία) was a Samarian woman who lived in Heliopolis of Phoenicia (present day Baalbeck, Lebanon, which was then part of greater Syria). 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 Baalbeck, 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. Syrian officials were angered by her actions, and had her beheaded on March 1st, 107 AD.

ources

* [http://www.antiochian.org/1116816526 Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of North America]
* [http://home.it.net.au/~jgrapsas/pages/eudokia.htm Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia]