Virgin-martyr Rhais (Raisa) of Alexandria (308)

Commemorated September 5

She was an Egyptian maiden, variously called Irais, Rais and Raida. One day, while drawing water from a well near the sea, she saw a ship laden with Christians being taken by their pagan persecutors to torture and death. By God's grace, Irais was touched by a desire to suffer for the Lord. She went to the ship, confessed herself to be a Christian, and was immediately taken prisoner with the other servants of Christ. They were all taken to the Egyptian town of Antinopolis, where Irais was the first of the company to be beheaded.

Source: Crkveni Kalendar