The very bright and beautiful ancient Greek name Taisiya means “wise”, “fertile”, “late”, “belonging to the goddess Isis”. The Orthodox celebrate Taisia’s name several times a year, since this name was not one of the saints. Of these, only three are known: Taisia Martyr, Taisia of Egypt (5th century) and the Monk Taisia of Egypt of Thebaid (6th century). Studying when Taisiya celebrates a name day, one should carefully consider the history of these saints. After all, it was faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and sincere repentance of our sins that saved them from the flames of hell.
Taisiya: Orthodox birthday
Little is known about Taisiya the Martyr, only that she took a martyr's death for a bold and firm confession of the Christian faith. The birthday of Taisiya Martyrs is celebrated on April 4 according to the modern calendar.
But the life of St. Taisia of Egypt is known in all its details. She lived in the 5th century in ancient Egypt. When her wealthy parents died, she began to lead a godly life and devoted herself to charity and helping the sick and the weak.
In her house, monks very often stayed, who came from deserts to cities to sell their baskets. Taisiya was loved and revered; she was highly respected by people. But after all zealous charity work, her material condition was gradually exhausted. And she, too, was overtaken by need. At this time, people of bad behavior appear in Taisia's surroundings, she begins to lead a hectic life.
Taisia Egypt
Once, monks came from a deserted monastery, who had previously stayed at Taisia. Seeing her unhappy and sinful, they were very saddened, because she always showed them her love. Calling on their Abba, whose name was John Kolov, they asked him to help Taisia. He immediately went to her and, sitting next to her, gazed into her eyes and burst into tears. She got worried and asked why he was crying. He replied that he saw how Satan was playing on her face, and cried tearfully about what she did not like Jesus, why she had embarked on a path contrary to the Lord. The girl was imbued with such accusatory words and was thrilled about whether she repented. The elder replied that he was, and made her go with him. Abba John was very much surprised that Taisia immediately went after him all in tears. She did not say goodbye to anyone and did not even give any orders about her property.
Peaceful demise
When they reached the desert, they had no choice but to spend the night in the sand. Having led her from the sand, before christening, he put her to bed, and he also lay down at some distance from her, praying before that. In the morning, when he got up, he found Taisia dead. He was very frightened that she died, without repenting, not taking communion, and not becoming a nun, as he wanted.
And then suddenly he heard the voice of God, who said that the hour of her repentance was more important than the long-term repentance of others who are not doing so selflessly. In such an amazing way, the Lord gave John the answer to his question about the forgiveness of the sins of Taisia, who received him for sincerity and determination in repentance.
Now the Orthodox also honor her name day. Taisiya on the church calendar celebrates her day on May 23. However, this is not all. In fact, there was another saint who bore this name, and at some points their fates were very similar.
Taisia of Egypt Thebaid
Coming to the question of when Taisiah's name day is still worth remembering, one more saint is Thaisia of Egypt, Thebaid. In the life it is written that she was the daughter of a harlot, who taught her her craft. Taisiya was notable for its rare beauty, therefore, customers were ready to pay big money for it, because of which they suffered real ruin. Once the Monk Paphnutius the Great came to her, who wished to talk with her. After their conversation, Taisia collected all her earned treasures and burned in the square of her city. And then she went to the convent for St. Paphnutius. There, shutting herself in her cell, constantly mourning for her sins, she spent three years in prison, eating only once a day.
Great forgiveness
When three years passed, Saint Paphnutius came to Anthony the Great to ask if the Lord had forgiven Taisia. Then Anthony ordered all his monk disciples to pray that the Lord Himself would give them an answer. After a while, Pavel Preprostom had a vision of three virgins of extraordinary beauty guarding the heavenly bed. Paul was delighted, he thought that this bed was intended for Father Anthony, but a voice from heaven announced to him that it was for the harlot Taisia. Thus, Paphnutius, recognizing the will of God, went to Taisia in a cell to take her out and say that the Lord forgave her her sins. Two weeks later, she was overtaken by an illness, and three days later, St. Taisiya peacefully departed to the Lord. Her birthday is now celebrated on October 21.
The Thais, in deep repentance, received mercy and forgiveness from the Lord. Thus, Taisiya's name days are celebrated three times a year, as mentioned above: April 4, May 23, and October 21.