John Chrysostom, known as the "the golden-mouthed" preacher of the 4th century, told the story of a remarkable conversion. The coastal city of Phoenice was well known for its lawlessness. In particular in the city was an actress who mesmerized many with her beauty but brought them low with her harlotry and the use of sorcery and drugs.

Chrysostom wrote, "And indeed nothing was more vile than she was, when she was on the stage." Yet remarkably, by the grace of God, this notable lady was suddenly converted. "But all at once, I know not how," he tells the story, "or rather I do know well, for it was being so minded, and converting, and bringing down upon herself God's grace, she despised all those things and having cast away the arts of the devils, mounted up to heaven." In the spirit of Romans 6, as she had given herself to all manner of sin as an unbeliever, now as a Christian, she devoted her all to the Lord Jesus Christ and His pleasure (Rom. 6:12-19). Her attire changed, as did her practices and the company that she kept. Her life of discipline and self-restraint demonstrated a transformed heart. For many years, she bowed only to her own authority over her soul, but upon meeting Jesus Christ through faith, the woman who once was a noted harlot became a radiant follower of Jesus Christ. [See: A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, edited by Philip Schaff, vol. X, "Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew," 412].