Saint of the Day – 9 October – Saint Publia (4th Century) Widow, Abbess in Antioch.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Antioch, St Publia, Abbess, who while Julian the Apostate was passing by, sang with her Religious, these words of David: “The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold” and: “Let them who make them, become like unto them.” By the command of the Emperor, she was struck on the face and severely rebuked.”
Theodoret, (393-457) Bishop, Theologian, Historian, Schriptural Exegesist, in his Ecclesiastical History, reports an act of Christian resistance in Antioch, during the coercive measures exercised there by Julian the Apostate (361-363), who resided In Antioch from June 362 to March 363, to direct military operations against the Persians.
Publia was a pious woman of Antioch, widowed at an early age with only one son, named John, who became a Priest. Some have tried to identify him as John Chrysostom, for no apparent reason, especially since the text which speaks of him explicitly states that Publia’s son refused to be elevated to the Episcopate.
Publia had entered a Nunnery in the City, of which she became Abbess and Deaconess. As the Emperor passed by, she had her Nuns sing specially chosen Psalms condemning idolatry (Psalm 108) and shaming God’s enemies (Psalm 67). Julian could not silence the choir, for every time he intervened, Publia encouraged her Nuns to continue their singing. Once, Julian, more irritated than usual by the Nuns’ rebellious attitude, summoned Publia and had her severely slapped. This humiliating measure had no effect and everything continued as before.
Publia did not die a Martyr but ended her days in peace at an unspecified time.
AnaStpaul 