Armenia and Syria
| Seven martyrs |  |
Jannia |
Sources: “Monumenta Asiae Minoris Antiqua”, vol. I – VIII, Manchester 1928 – 1962; Ute E. Eisen, “Amsträgerinnen im fruhen Christentum”, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen 1996; Kyriaki Karidoyanes Fitzgerald, “Women Deacons in the Orthodox Church”, Holy Cross Orthodox Press, Brookline 1998; John Wijngaards, “Women Deacons in the Early Church. Historical Texts and Contemporary Debates”, Crossroad, New York 2002; Kevin Madigan and Carolyn Osiek, “Ordained Women in the Early Church: A Documentary History”, John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 2005.
1. Seven women deacon martyrs
| City or province | Persia |
|---|---|
| Date | Early 5th century AD |
| details from biographies | seven women deacon martyrs |
| feast day | May 16 |
2. Sabinia
| Literary Source | 1. John Chrysostom, Letter 13 (& Letter 6 to Olympias) 2. Palladius, Lausiac History 41 |
|---|---|
| Date | 404-407AD |
| Place of Deacon | Armenia |
| Quote from source | 1. “My lady Sabinia, the deacon (diakonos) arrived the same day that we did, worn out and overwhelmed with fatigue, for she is of an age when it is difficult even to move.” 2. “I encountered at Antioch a distinguished woman who conversed with God, the deaconess (diakonissa) Sabinia, aunt of John bishop of Constantinople.” |
3. St Platonida
| City or province | Syria |
|---|---|
| Date | 4th Century AD |
| details from biographies | St. Platonida was at first a deacon, but afterwards withdrew into the Nisibis Desert, where she organized a women’s monastery. The Rule of her monastery was known for its strictness. The sisters partook of food only once a day. When they were not praying, they spent their time in monastic labors and various obediences. St. Platonida was for all the sisters a living example of strict monastic asceticism, meekness, and love for neighbor. Having reached a great old age, St. Platonida died peacefully in the year 308. |
| feast day | April 6 |
4. Elladis
| Source | sarcophagus inscription from Umm Qeis, Jordan |
|---|---|
| Greek Text | |
| Quote from source | deaconess Elladis.” |
5. Publia
| Literary Source |
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|---|---|---|
| Date |
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| Place of Deacon | Antioch in Syria | |
| Quote from source | Title of the Chapter: “About Artemois the official, and Publia the deacon, and her godly boldness (parresia).” |
6. Anastasia
| Literary Source | Severus of Antioch, Letters 69, 70, 71, 72 |
|---|---|
| Date | 518 AD |
| Place of Deacon | Antioch in Syria (?) |
| Quote from source | All four letters are addressed: “To Anastasia the deaconess.” |
7. Jannia
| Literary Source | Severus of Antioch, Letter 7.2 |
|---|---|
| Date | 488-512 AD |
| Place of Deacon | Antioch in Syria (?) |
| Quote from source | “To Jannia, deaconess and monastic superior.” |
8. Valeriana
| Literary Source | Sozomen, Ecclesiastical History (9.2) |
|---|---|
| Date | 488-512 AD |
| Place of Deacon | Antioch in Syria (?) |
| Quote from source | “To Valeriana, deaconess and monastic superior.” |
9. Eugenia
| Literary Source | Severus of Antioch, Letter 110 |
|---|---|
| Date | 518 AD |
| Place of Deacon | Antioch in Syria (?) |
| Quote from source | “To Eugenia, deaconess and monastic superior.” |
10. Casiana
| Literary Source | Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Sirm. Letter 17 |
|---|---|
| Date | 423-451 AD |
| Place of Deacon | Unknown |
| Quote from source | “To Casiana, deacon.” |
11. St Poplia
| City or province | Antioch |
|---|---|
| Date | 4th century AD |
| details from biographies | St. Poplia ‘Confessor of the Faith’ Poplia lived during the fourth century in Antioch. She was married and gave birth to a son who became a priest. After her husband died, she herself was ordained into the diaconate. She was a gifted leader of women and the local church. During persecution she was tortured for her Christian belief. |
| feast day | October 9 |
12. Romana
| Literary Source | The Life of St. Pelagia, the Harlot |
|---|---|
| Date | 5th century AD |
| Place of Deacon | Antioch in Syria |
| Quote from source | “And her sponsor (pater spiritualis) was the holy lady Romana, first of the deaconesses, who took her and went to the place for catechumens.” |
13. Zaortha
| Source | inscription from Zebed, north-central Syria |
|---|---|
| Date | Probably 4th century |
| Greek Text | ΖΑΩΡΤΑ ΖΑΜΑΣΤΑ |
| Quote from source | “Zaortha deaconess.” |
14. Zoe
| Source | two mosaic inscriptions from a church, from Rihab, Transjordan |
|---|---|
| Date | 594 AD |
| Greek Text | |
| Quote from source | “For the salvation of Zoe, deac[on] . .” and ” . . . Of Zoe deac[on] . . .” |