The Abuse Suffered by Saint Thomais of Lesvos and Her Subsequent Repose

The following account of the abuse Saint Thomais suffered at the hands of her husband for living a virtuous life and her subsequent blessed repose can be found between Miracle 5 (miracles before her repose) and Miracle 6 (miracles after her repose) of her Life.

15. But let our account pause a little and recount in detail her husband’s treatment of her. Her husband used to lie in wait then, like a violent tyrant with beetled brows, grimly regarding the blessed Thomaıs, and with furrowed brows displaying a wild-looking glance and the coarse nature of his face. She suffered terrible beatings, she bore unmerciful torments, she endured chastisements by virtue of her noble thoughts, maintaining continually a conduct in accordance with God. Although she was restrained by her aforesaid husband, she continued to devote herself constantly to prayers, and continued to abide in the God-pleasing life. She meditated constantly on all the works of God, as was her wont, even though the blessed woman’s pain was renewed, since she was wickedly attacked by her husband, who prevented her from doing such things. Even though she lived with a lame man and was taught by him to limp, she never ceased to walk in a straight path. For her husband viewed her actions in a contrary fashion and reckoned them extravagant, and he condemned her for living in a prodigal fashion and criticized and scorned her for squandering their livelihood. But her actions were rather charity, carrying out mercy in accordance with the divine and holy scriptures, concerning which indeed God Himself said: “I will have mercy and not sacrifice; if you bring incense before me, it is an abomination to me.”
 

Life and Conduct of Saint Thomais the Wonderworker of Lesvos

St. Thomais of Lesvos (Feast Day - January 3)

 

1. Since the Holy Scriptures say that the memory of the righteous is praised, should we not praise one who is an adornment to the female sex? I exclude from this discussion the Mother of God, She Who has been lifted above the cherubim, since She is beyond all created beings. As I said then, we should praise one who was more righteous than all the righteous women, the admirable Thomais, for whom we keep the present festival. By her family and life she was well known to all, she who was adorned by all forms of virtue and sparkled like a light. By her holy habits, modest character, still more modest lifestyle, as well as her asceticism, Thomais adorned her family by her ways, rather than being one who was adorned by her family’s glory, renown, and brilliance.
 

Saint Thomais of Lesvos Resource Page

St. Thomais of Lesvos (Feast Day - January 3)

Verses

Afflicted much Thomais was made radiant,
Partaking of unspeakable glory beside Christ.
On the third Thomais sings what is meet and right with understanding.

Saint Thomaïs of Lesvos, Patron Saint of Marriage

 

Life and Conduct of Saint Thomais the Wonderworker of Lesvos

 

The Abuse Suffered by Saint Thomais of Lesvos and Her Subsequent Repose

 

Miracles of Saint Thomais the Wonderworker of Lesvos (1 - 3) 

 

Miracles of Saint Thomais the Wonderworker of Lesvos (4 - 8) 

 

Miracles of Saint Thomais the Wonderworker of Lesvos (9 - 14) 

 

Testimony from the Woman Who Was Operated on by St. Thomais in 2007

Miracles of Saint Thomais the Wonderworker of Lesvos (9 - 14)

Miracle 9:

But now let our account pass on to another still more divine miracle; let it demonstrate the wonders of God and magnify His glory as is fitting. There was a man who was afflicted with epilepsy. His foot along with his hand was useless, and there was no natural cure for the malady. But the report of the saint's miracles, which spread very quickly in every direction, soon reached the ears of the above-mentioned man and drew him, without a moment’s hesitation, to the saint’s dwelling place. Once he had been cured, he returned to his home healthy, without sickness, free from the above-mentioned illness, exalting God and acknowledging the glorious grace of the saint.

Miracles of Saint Thomais the Wonderworker of Lesvos (4 - 8)

Miracle 4:

Let my story hasten then, with all possible zeal, to other miraculous deeds of the wondrous Thomais.

A woman who lived wantonly and licentiously in every way suffered from hemorrhaging for more than six years and was terribly afflicted by this sickness. But the holy woman [Thomais], realizing that the woman's illness came from God, spoke to her as follows: "If you, woman, desire to be released from this illness which afflicts, abandon all intercourse with men during the divine and great feasts, and abandon also the prohibited activities you habitually perform. Cast as far away as possible your wallowing in the mud of passions." When the woman then promised to abstain from these activities and rejected with loathing her filthy acts, the holy Thomais healed the woman, anointing her with the usual oil. So the words and counsels of the Saint released the long-suffering woman from her serious affliction. And after having been sick for so many years, she was restored to health and promised to sin no longer. For indeed she had heard from the Saint that which was truly said by Christ: "Behold, you are made well! Sin no more." For she realized it was indecent to engage in sexual pleasure and intercourse.

Miracles of Saint Thomais the Wonderworker of Lesvos (1 - 3)

Miracle 1:

My narrative has shown us that Thomais constantly visited the divine churches, and most frequently attended services at churches where all-night hymnody to God was being performed. She used to go regularly to the most divine church at Blachernae, and would walk the whole way at night sending forth hymns of supplication to God and entreating His all-pure Mother. Then she would prostrate herself before Her all-honored and all-holy shrine,* entreating Her with tears and begging grace for the whole world, that is, to intercede with Her Son to postpone and delay His punishment and to grant a respite from the wickedness that afflicts the world because of our sins. For she did not petition and entreat the Lord on her own behalf, but for the salvation and redemption of the community and the world. In the words of the apostle she strove not for her own but for another,** and indeed she carried out this saying by her very deeds.