St Edokia

Above is the artwork of St. Eudokia originally found in the Istanbul Feneri isa Mosque, dating back to the 11th century AD (aprox. 330 -1453 AD), and the Byzantine period. Today it can be viewed in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum in Turkey and can be viewed by all as history to women's past. Although the exact artist is unknown, this artifact is composed of inlaid marble and represents the icon of St. Eudokia, in which is celebrated today.

To be able to understand women's life a little better from this time period, we can turn to the story of Eudokia and how she became a saint. Briefly, she lived her daily life as a pagan in Heliopolis and acquired wealthy by attracting wealthy men because she was so beautiful. Her beauty attracted suitors from all over the Roman Empire, in which she constantly was turning down. One day, Germanos, a Christian monk came to her offering her the gift of new faith and she allowed him to stay in a hall where he made a chapel from. Living next door, he read through the window to her the story of "The Last Judgment" of the Christian faith. What she heard sparked curiosity so the next day he was invited in to speak more of this story. The teachings that the love for Christ and all sinners, made her wonder if she too could be saved by Christ. The monk said if she were to invite no man in for one week and simply fast and pray the whole time, she would receive a vision to be assured she will be saved. She did, so she then converted to the faith by baptism from the monk and had a church built in the city. This church and her symbol of the beauty of her soul and face attracted thousands seeking to take the leap of faith too. With the remainder of her acquired wealth, she distributed it among charities and continued to convert many pagans. Unfortunately, this upset Syrian officials and led to her death when she was beheaded March 1, 107 AD.

As we begin reading in "Women's Work",