Thomais of Alexandria

Holy Martyr Thomais of Alexandria was a Christian woman of Alexandria, martyred in the fifth century, in the year 476. She is honoured by the Catholic Church and by the Orthodox Church. The Orthodox Church commemorates her on 13 April by the old calendar (26 April on the new style), and the English source gives 14 April.

She was born at Alexandria to Christian parents. From childhood she was taught the Christian faith, and at fifteen she was married to an honourable man; according to the English source, her husband was a fisherman. But her father-⁠in-⁠law was a dissolute old man, who, in his son's absence, assaulted his daughter-⁠in-⁠law and wished to dishonour her. Thomais was frightened and, in fear, reminded him of the law of God and slipped from his hands. After a long struggle, the father-⁠in-⁠law drew a knife and cut her throat, cutting her in two. Christians believe that at that moment the punishment of God overtook him: he went blind at once and could not find the door to go out, but was found in the room and handed over to the court, which condemned him to death, by beheading.

Christians believe that many, tormented by the passion of fornication, raised prayers to Saint Thomais and received strong help from her. The great ascetic Venerable Daniel of Scetis moved her relics to Scetis and placed them in the cemetery of the hieromonks.