Saint Euphrosyne of Alexandria | |
|---|---|
 Fresco of Saint Euphrosyne in a Greek Orthodox Church | |
| Virgin | |
| Born | 410 Alexandria, Egypt |
| Died | 470 |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Church Catholic Church Anglican Communion |
| Feast | September 25, January 16 |
Euphrosyne of Alexandria (Greek: Ἁγία Εὐφροσύνη tr. "good cheer", 410–470),[1][2] also called Euphrosynē,[3] was a saint who disguised herself as a male to enter a monastery and live, for 38 years, as an ascetic. Her feast day is celebrated on September 25 by the Greek Orthodox Church and Byzantine Rite Catholics, on September 27 by the Episcopal Church, and on January 16 by the Roman Catholic Church.
Euphrosyne was purportedly born to a wealthy family in Alexandria. When she was 18, her father wanted her to marry, so she escaped, disguised as a man, and entered a monastery. She spent most of her years as a monk in seclusion from the other monks. During the final year of her life, Euphrosyne became her father's spiritual director, comforting his grief over losing his only daughter. Eventually, she revealed her identity to him and they reconciled. After she died, he entered her monastery and became an ascetic himself, living in her cell until he died ten years later. Ecclesiastical historian Johann Peter Kirsch considers her story a legend.
- ^ Swan, p. 83
- ^ Kirsch, Johann Peter (1913). "St. Euphrosyne". In Charles G. Herberman; et al. (eds.). Catholic Encyclopedia. 5. New York: Encyclopedia Press, Inc. p. 11.
- ^ "Venerable Euphrosynē of Alexandria". Syosset, New York: Orthodox Church in America. Retrieved 1 January 2021.