Holy Confessor Publia the Deaconess, of Antioch (IV)

The holy Confessor Publia, a deaconess of Antioch, was widowed early, after which she gave all her strength to bringing up her son John in Christian piety. Later John was ordained presbyter, while Publia, for her good sense and ascetic life, was made a deaconess. She gathered round her women who had resolved to devote their lives to the service of God, and set up a convent in her own house. In the reign of the Emperor Julian the Apostate (361–363) Publia and her sisters rebuked the lawless ruler. When the emperor passed in front of Publia’s house, the women began to sing aloud the 113th Psalm, which denounces idol-worship, for which by Julian’s order the aged deaconess was cruelly beaten. The blessed one did not live long after this: she soon committed her soul to the Lord in peace.