Thaïs

Who they were

Thais was a penitent in Egypt in the fourth century. According to her legend she had been a public sinner until the hermit Paphnutius converted her; she burned her treasures and was enclosed in a cell at a convent, praying 'Thou who didst create me, have mercy on me'. After three years of penance she was released to live among the nuns, but died only fourteen days later.

Her name appears in the Greek calendar on 8 October, though not in the Roman Martyrology.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: she has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

A repentant sinner of Egypt remembered for her years of penance.