5th century
Venerable Pelagia the Penitent
A woman of Antioch who, according to her Life, gave up a dissolute life after hearing a sermon by Bishop Nonnus, was baptised, and lived as an ascetic in Jerusalem until her death in the 5th century.
Biography
Pelagia lived in Antioch and, according to her Life, had given herself over to a dissolute life. She happened to hear a sermon on purity by Bishop Nonnus, which shook her to the core.
She then gave up her former life, distributed her wealth to the poor, was instructed in the faith and baptised. A few days later she left for Jerusalem, where she spent the rest of her life in strict asceticism, disguised as a male monk, until her death in the 5th century; her true identity was only discovered after she died.