The night-time crime in the family of an Alexandrian fisherman ended in immediate retaliation for the attacker. Fifteen-year-old Fomaida, known to her neighbors for her piety and harmless character, died at the hands of her father-in-law. Immediately after the blow, the man lost his sight, which made it easy to expose him the next morning.
The tragedy took place in 476 when her husband went fishing. Taking advantage of his absence, the father of the family attempted to persuade his daughter-in-law to commit adultery. Receiving a firm refusal, he began to threaten with weapons. The young woman did not back down, making it clear that physical violence will not make her break the commandment. In a rage, her father-in-law slashed her with a sword.
Immediately after the death of the victim, the attacker was blind. Disoriented, he never managed to get out. The doors were opened in the morning by the fellow fisherman who had returned from fishing. Inside their eyes appeared a lifeless body and a bloodied old man who not only did not resist, but also demanded that he be sentenced to death, frankly describing all the details of what he had done.
About the incident learned arrived in the city abba Daniel — ascetic from the desert hermitage. He ordered to deliver the remains of the murdered to the tomb of the Octodecadian monastery and make a burial there. Part of the brethren expressed bewilderment: the woman was going to be buried among the monks. The elder stopped the controversy, declaring that the deceased was the mother of all present, for she laid down her life for bodily purity.
The ceremony was held with honors, after which the abba retired back to the hermitage. A short time later, a young monk came to him complaining of exhausting carnal desires. The elder sent him to pray to the tomb of the martyr. The monk fulfilled the instruction exactly. After sleeping at the burial site, he saw Thomas himself. She came to him with a brief greeting and a blessing. Upon awakening, the monk felt complete calm, and the former temptations left him. Later, Abba Daniel explained: This gift of healing is given through the prayers of those who have acquired perfect chastity.
Over time, news of what was happening at the tomb spread. People began to flock here, seeking liberation from internal torments. Many testified to a sudden ease of mind after visiting the tomb. Later, the relics of St. Thomas were transported to Constantinople, placed in a female monastery. In 1420, the shrine was mentioned by the Russian pilgrim Hierodeacon Zosima, who left a record of his worship in the capital of Byzantium.
Memorial Days
26 April
The Holy Land Charitable Foundation
Lives of Saints
