Rhais of Alexandria

Saint Rhais the Martyr, also called Iraida, was a virgin of Alexandria in Egypt, daughter of a Christian priest, Peter, killed for her faith in the persecution of Diocletian, around 303 or 308. She is venerated by the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Church. The Orthodox Church commemorates her on 5 September, the Catholic Church on 23 September.

At twelve she was sent to a women's monastery at Tamman. One day in 303, at a time of great persecution, she went to a spring to draw water with other nuns. On the way they saw a ship with a group of nuns, monks and other Christians in chains, abused by Loukianos and his men, about a hundred and fifty. Rhais berated the abusers and demanded that they kill her as well, if they killed Christians. The ruler of the district offered her to leave so as not to die, but she refused. They took her into custody and she joined the martyrs willingly. When the ship reached Antinoöpolis she was the first put to torments. When Loukianos cried out: "I spit upon the Christian God", Rhais stepped forward and spat in the tyrant's face. Loukianos ordered her tortured and beheaded. After her the other prisoners received death too.