For a long time, the concept of saints felt distant and irrelevant to my faith. Growing up, I heard them dismissed as mere good luck charms, garden statues, or relics of a superstitious past. My understanding, shaped by Bible College and Protestant seminary, was that saints were figures exploited in medieval times, their bones and stories twisted for profit and questionable practices. Thankfully, a profound experience shifted my perspective entirely, revealing the true significance of these holy figures and their guidance in my life. Now, I cannot imagine my spiritual journey without their wisdom and support.
Previously, I served as the director of a large homeless shelter in a major Northeastern city. My responsibility was the holistic well-being – both physical and spiritual – of thirty men recently released from prison or experiencing homelessness. In my ministry to these men, a recurring narrative emerged regarding their church experiences. Charismatic preachers often promised, “If you tithe generously to our church, God will bless you abundantly.” This “prosperity gospel” theology is prevalent in certain Protestant circles. Many of these vulnerable men, seeking hope and change, would give their meager funds, believing in the promised blessings. Tragically, the promised wealth and prosperity never materialized, and their lives remained trapped in cycles of poverty and hardship.
Witnessing this spiritual manipulation, I felt compelled to demonstrate that not all churches operated on this prosperity model. I conceived the idea of “church field trips” to expose the men to diverse church leaders and traditions, contrasting the manipulative tactics of the prosperity gospel preachers. Our group visited an early African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church, Reformed churches, mainline Protestant churches, and even contemporary “hipster” churches. The men engaged actively, asking insightful questions and participating in church tours, broadening their understanding of faith.
One of our final visits was to a large Greek Orthodox Church. My own familiarity with Orthodoxy was minimal. Approaching the building with its distinctive architecture and Greek inscriptions, I had no clear expectations.
The Orthodox Priest, dressed in his traditional cassock, warmly greeted us at the entrance. Stepping into the narthex, our attention was immediately drawn to a beautifully rendered image, an icon, displayed on an ornate stand. Adorned with gold and jewels, it depicted a female saint. One of the men in our group exclaimed, referencing Old Testament prohibitions, “Why do you have graven images?” He perceived the icon as a forbidden idol, an offense to God.
With patience and kindness, the priest explained that it was the feast day of Saint Agatha in the Orthodox Church. He proceeded to recount her life story to our group. Saint Agatha, he explained, lived in 3rd century Italy and was a devoted follower of Christ. Renowned for her beauty, she attracted many suitors, but Agatha, dedicated to her faith, chose to remain unmarried and devote herself to God. However, Quintianus, a wealthy pagan, became infatuated with Agatha and demanded her hand in marriage. Agatha refused, declaring her commitment to virginity and service to Christ. Enraged by her rejection, Quintianus publicly humiliated Agatha in the town square. Before the assembled townspeople, he ordered his servants to cut off her breasts. In a final, cruel attempt to break her spirit, Quintianus again demanded marriage, as if such barbarity could compel affection. Agatha again refused, reaffirming her devotion to Christ and holiness. In a final act of rage and violation, Quintianus had her stripped naked before the onlookers and dragged to her death, tied behind a horse-drawn carriage.
As the priest narrated this harrowing tale, I noticed one of the men in our group, Shawn, reacting intensely. He paced, clenched his fists, and muttered under his breath, visibly oscillating between anger and tears. Shawn was new to our program and somewhat intimidating in presence – towering at 6’3″, with piercing eyes and prominent face tattoos. He resembled the imposing figure from The Green Mile, yet with an even more intense demeanor.
My mind raced as I observed Shawn’s escalating agitation. Were we on the verge of a violent outburst? Would he lash out at the kind priest? Break down in tears? Or, heaven forbid, would he desecrate the icon of Saint Agatha? Hesitantly, I approached Shawn, attempting to defuse the situation. Having not yet built rapport with him, I tried to express empathy.
“Shawn,” I began, “what’s going on, man? I can see you’re upset… is there anything I can do right now?”
Still pacing and clenching his fists, tears welling in his eyes, he responded angrily, “Why would they do this to her?”
“I don’t know, Shawn, icons aren’t really part of my tradition,” I answered, assuming he was referring to the image itself.
He dismissed my answer, “No, why would they make her a saint?”
Again, improvising, “I don’t know, Shawn, I don’t fully understand the whole saint thing.”
He replied, now crying openly, “Why would they make her an example?”
“I don’t know, Shawn,” was all I could muster. Thankfully, Shawn didn’t lash out.
The next day, I met with Shawn to process what had transpired. In my office, Shawn broke down. He revealed that his mother had been raped as a teenager, and he was the result of that assault. He recounted in painful detail how his mother frequently reminded him he was conceived through rape, and how she punished him for it throughout his childhood. As a result of this trauma and mistreatment, Shawn explained, he had inflicted pain on others throughout his life.
Hearing Saint Agatha’s story, however, was profoundly impactful. He was astounded that someone who endured such horrific abuse could be considered an exemplar of Christian faith, let alone a saint. It challenged his deeply ingrained sense of worthlessness and brokenness. How could God and the Church elevate someone so damaged and broken, declaring her holy?
Shawn saw a reflection of himself in Saint Agatha’s life. He found in her story a guide for his own. He discovered hope amidst his own pain and perceived “torture.” He encountered a Savior who did not condemn him as cursed or beyond redemption. He found a church that offered him the possibility, even with his shame and brokenness, to transcend his past. He began to understand that in Christ, there was hope for him to become holy, to even become an example of faith for others. He realized his life had purpose, and his past pain could be part of a journey toward holiness. Shawn joined the Orthodox Church. Witnessing this 6’3″ African-American man, adorned with face tattoos – perhaps symbols of his past or transformation – laughing and sharing jokes with Greek “yiayias” at a Greek festival was like catching a glimpse of heaven, a testament to the transformative power of faith and community.
Saint Agatha is recognized as a saint across Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Catholic, and Anglican traditions. She is one of countless beacons of holiness throughout church history, exemplifying devoted discipleship to Christ. Saints are not magical charms for finding lost objects, as I once mistakenly believed. Instead, they serve as tangible witnesses that our deepest wounds and losses do not define our true selves. The inherent image of God within each of us, recognized by Christ, is the foundation for pursuing holiness.
Saint Augustine wrote, “There is no saint without a past, no sinner without a future.” For individuals like Shawn and myself, the saints demonstrate through their lives that we are destined for greatness. Even our most shameful moments are simply part of the journey of theosis, the process of becoming holy as God is holy. Saints are alive in Christ, and their earthly lives exemplify holiness. Because of their profound understanding of both human struggles and triumphs, we can look to saints like Agatha as guides and sources of inspiration. We can also seek their intercessory prayers as they worship Christ in paradise.
Saint Agatha and all the Saints, pray to God for us!
From the Introduction of the forthcoming book:“Holiness in the Hardship: Saints of Strength for Common Folks” by Fr Photios
- This is only one account of the life of Saint Agatha.
