Martyr Susanna the Deaconess, of Palestine

Martyr Susanna the Deaconess of Palestine lived in the fourth century. She was the only daughter of a pagan Greek priest, Artemios, and his wife Martha, who was of Hebrew descent. After distributing her inherited wealth to the poor, Susanna concealed her sex and, under the name "John," entered a men's monastery near Jerusalem, where, after many years of ascetic struggle, she was chosen abbot (archimandrite) of the community. When falsely accused by a woman of a sin she had not committed, she was compelled to reveal her true identity to the Bishop of Eleutheropolis; he then ordained her a deaconess, and she continued her service as a woman, becoming known for the gift of working miracles. During a persecution of Christians, she openly confessed Christ before the city's governor, toppling pagan idols by the power of her prayer. For this she was subjected to brutal torture — her breast was cut (miraculously healed), molten lead was poured into her mouth, and she was beaten — but her torturers, unable to break her faith, finally had her burned alive. Her feast is kept on December 15 (Old Style) / December 28 (New Style). She is distinct from Venerable Susanna, mother of St. Nina (feast May 20).