Euphrosyne of Alexandria
Euphrosyne of Alexandria was an Egyptian saint who lived as an ascetic for 38 years by disguising herself as a male monk. She is chiefly remembered for her devotion, her clever evasion of an arranged marriage, and her eventual reconciliation with her father before his own monastic life.
- Feast Day
- January 16
- Century
- 5th century
- Country Or Region
- Egypt
Key Facts
- ›Euphrosyne was born in Alexandria in 410 to a wealthy and pious Christian family.
- ›To escape an arranged marriage at age 18, she disguised herself as a man and entered a monastery.
- ›She lived as a monk named Smaragdus for 38 years, practicing asceticism and largely in seclusion.
- ›In her final year, she became her father's spiritual director, later revealing her identity and reconciling with him.
- ›After her death, her father became a monk in her cell and lived there for ten years.
- ›Her story is considered a legend by ecclesiastical historian Johann Peter Kirsch.
Euphrosynē, Smaragdus
About Euphrosyne of Alexandria
Euphrosyne of Alexandria (410–470), also known as Euphrosynē, is an Egyptian saint venerated in several Christian traditions. Her story, which is considered a legend by some historians, centers on her profound dedication to a life of asceticism and celibacy.
Life and historical context
Born into a wealthy and pious Christian family in Alexandria, Euphrosyne was the only daughter of Paphnutius. After her mother's death, her father raised her, and when she was 18, he arranged for her to marry a wealthy suitor. However, a visit to a monastery inspired Euphrosyne to pursue a monastic life instead. To achieve this and avoid her marriage, she disguised herself as a male monk, taking the name Smaragdus.
She entered the same monastery her father frequented, fearing he might find her in a convent. She lived there for 38 years as a monk, impressing the abbot with her asceticism. Due to perceived beauty causing dissension, she was ordered into seclusion, moving to a solitary cell in the desert where she embraced intense solitude.
Legacy
In the final year of her life, Euphrosyne revealed her identity to her grieving father, Paphnutius, who had come to the monastery seeking solace. They reconciled, and after her death, Paphnutius distributed his wealth to the poor and the monastery, becoming a monk himself and living in his daughter's cell for ten years. Her tomb became a place of prayer with attributed miracles. Early accounts of her life exist in various literary forms, including Old English versions. Her feast day is celebrated on September 25 (Greek Orthodox and Byzantine Rite Catholics), September 27 (Episcopal Church), and January 16 (Roman Catholic Church).
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Euphrosyne disguise herself as a man?
Euphrosyne disguised herself as a man to escape an arranged marriage and to enter a monastery to live a life of asceticism, which she feared would be hindered by her gender.
How long did Euphrosyne live as a monk?
She lived as a monk, under the name Smaragdus, for 38 years until her death around the year 470.
Did Euphrosyne reconcile with her father?
Yes, in the final year of her life, Euphrosyne revealed her identity to her father, Paphnutius, and they reconciled. She had previously served as his spiritual director without him knowing who she was.
What happened to Euphrosyne's father after her death?
After Euphrosyne's death, her father Paphnutius distributed his wealth to the poor and the monastery, and then became a monk himself, living in his daughter's cell for ten years until his own death.
Is Euphrosyne's story considered historically accurate?
Ecclesiastical historian Johann Peter Kirsch considered her story a legend. Her narrative belongs to a group of legends about Christian virgins who adopted male attire to pursue lives of celibacy and asceticism.
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