09/25/2026 – Життя Святих / Lives of the Saints
Прп. Євфросинії
Venerable Euphrosyne of Alexandria
The Synaxarion (Lives of the Saints):
Our venerable Mother Euphrosyne was born at the beginning of the fifth century in Alexandria. She was the only child of wealthy and illustrious parents. After her mother’s death, she was raised by her father, Paphnutios, a devout Christian who often visited a monastery and received spiritual guidance from its Igoumen.
When Euphrosyne was eighteen, her father wished her to marry and went to the monastery to obtain the Igoumen’s blessing. But Euphrosyne longed for the monastic life. She gave her possessions to the poor and secretly left her home.
Fearing that her father would find her in a women’s monastery, she disguised herself as a man and entered the same monastery she had known since childhood, calling herself Smaragdos. The monks did not recognize her and received her into the community. They were greatly impressed by her humility, spiritual struggles, and willingness to serve others.
Saint Euphrosyne lived in a solitary cell for 38 years, dedicating herself to fasting and prayer and growing in holiness.
Paphnutios deeply mourned the loss of his daughter. More than once, following the advice of his Spiritual Father, he spoke with the “monk” Smaragdos, sharing his grief and receiving spiritual comfort.
Before her death, Saint Euphrosyne revealed her true identity to her father and asked that only he prepare her body for burial. After burying his daughter, Paphnutios gave his wealth to the poor and the monastery and was tonsured as a monk. For ten years, until his own repose, he lived and prayed in his daughter’s cell.
By her life, Saint Euphrosyne reminds us to renounce worldly passions and to live soberly, uprightly, and devoutly, with justice toward others and with faithfulness to God.