October 8 - St. Pelagia the Penitent

http://www.victorgoler.com/index.html

Pelagia was a professional dancer who abandoned her trade when she heard a sermon by Bishop Nonnus of Edessa. In the sermon, he talked about a stripper's superficial beauty but spiritual emptiness because she did nothing for the work of God. Pelagia converted, confessed, was baptized, and moved to Jersualem where she was known as the Beardless Hermit.

A good sermon is a fine thing. I remember one about the greatness of a nation, based on the book of Micah. It seems that at the time, I was inspired to read Micah, but I've forgotten most of it now. I should re-read it, of course, because this sermon made me think a lot about religious values and the national interest.