Blessed Thaïs

Life

Thaïs was a wealthy Christian maiden in Egypt. She resolved not to enter into marriage and distributed her property to the desert monks. When she had spent all her property, she gave herself over to a dissolute life. Hearing of this, the desert fathers entreated Abba John Colobos, and he came to Alexandria and began to weep before Thaïs. When she heard that the elder was weeping because of her sins, she immediately repented, abandoned both her house and everything, and followed the saint into the desert. One night, while she slept and John stood in prayer, John saw angels descend with a great light and take the soul of Thaïs. And John learned that her momentary but warm repentance was more pleasing to God than the years-long outward repentance of many desert fathers.