Theoctiste of Lesbos

Theoctiste of Lesbos was a saint of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Born in Asia Minor on the island of Lesbos, Theoctiste was orphaned as a child. The saint's relations brought her to a monastery where she was raised in great joy until her 18th year, at which time Theoctiste barely evaded capture by foreign slavers.

She was taken captive with her sister and other local villagers of Lesbos and brought to the island of Paros. Once on Paros Theoctiste was able to escape. She found refuge in an island church dedicated to the Holy Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary and dwelt there, as a hermit, for the next 35 year of her life.

Numerous miraculous events are associated with her life and her relics.

Saint Theoctiste of Lesbos died in the late 9th century. She is commemorated on the 9th and 22nd of November in Eastern Christian Churches. [http://www.stjohndc.org/Russian/saints/e_9711c.htm]

See also

*Stylites
*Asceticism
*Poustinia
*Mary of Egypt

References

* [http://www.stjohndc.org/Russian/saints/e_9711c.htm St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Cathedral: Saints]
* [http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2200 Saints at Catholic Online]