✝ Holy Confessor Publia the Deaconess of Antioch
October 9 / October 22 (Julian Calendar)
On this day, October 9 according to the Julian Calendar (October 22 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Holy Confessor Publia the Deaconess of Antioch.
The holy Confessor Publia (Poplia), the deaconess of Antioch, was widowed early and devoted all her strength to raising her son John in Christian piety. Later John was ordained a presbyter, and Publia, for her prudence and ascetic life, was consecrated a deaconess. She gathered around her women who had resolved to dedicate their lives to the service of God, and made a monastery of her own house.
During the reign of the emperor Julian the Apostate (361–363), Publia and her sisters denounced the lawless ruler. When the emperor passed by Publia’s house, the women loudly began to sing Psalm 113, which condemns idolatry, and for this the aged deaconess was cruelly beaten on Julian’s orders. The blessed one did not live long afterwards: soon she gave up her soul peacefully to the Lord.
May the intercessions of Confessor Publia the Deaconess be with us all.