Holy Martyr Raisa (or Iraida) (+c. 308)

The holy Martyr Raisa (Iraida), a virgin, was from the city of Alexandria and laboured in a convent. Once, when she had gone out of the monastery on an errand of obedience, the blessed one noticed a ship on which prisoners for Christ were being held. The blessed Raisa joined the captives of her own accord. When the ship stopped at the Egyptian city of Antinoe, Raisa (Iraida) was the first to be handed over to torture and was cut down with the sword. After her the other martyrs too proved their faithfulness to the true faith by shedding their blood.

Saint Raisa is also commemorated on 23 October, under the name Iraida.