Saint Thais of Egypt

[Daniel Hoseiny]

Poem for two saints who both are named Thais of Egypt. Their life story is quite similar with some differences.

Praise be to God for you, o Saint Thais!
You have rejected sin through ardent penance,
Acquiring purity and virtue as it is,
Through narrow path of vigilant repentance.

And burning goods of luxury of carnal sin,
You were transfigured in seclusion of a convent.
You spent three years of bitter tears therein,
Till you acquired blessed end and Heaven.

Rejoice you also, holy mother Alexandrian Thais!
You heeded Savior’s call through John’s edification.
You left your property, your brothel and with ease
You went to desert to repent of bitter fornication.

Good God accepted former piety and noble deeds
Before you sold the body for the sake of evil greed.
From guilt of sin you was redeemed and freed
When Holy God took up your soul from body lying on the desert’s grit.

Thanks be to Holy Trinity for both of you and your salvation!
For it is He who works in us to will, to do His will for His gratification.
You are examples that through Christ all sinners can attain purification.
May Holy Spirit lead us all and make us ever grow in perfection.​

Life of saint Thais of 8 October: Venerable Thais of Egypt
Life of saint Thais of 10 May: Blessed Thais of Egypt