The Catholic Church celebrates the Holy Euphrasia of Constantinople every March 13, 4th century nunconsidered one of the most important figures of female monasticism of antiquity. She is remembered for her piety and charity, detached from earthly goods.
Euphrasia was the daughter of Antigonus, senator of Constantinople.related to him Emperor Theodosius I. One year after birth of Euphrasia, Antigonus diedhence The little girl and her mother remained under the protection of the imperial house and the emperor He personally took care of both women.
When Euphrasia turned 5 years oldaccording to custom, Theodosius I decided to commit her to a future marriage with the son of a rich senator. Roman. Meanwhile, His mother increasingly strengthened her Christian faith.To the point that He decided to leave Constantinople and move to Egypt with his daughter.. Euphrasia He then had his first contact with the spiritual movement led by hermits and the monks of Thebaid.
Since I was a child, Euphrasia began to feel more attracted to religious life and when his mother died, He begged the nuns to allow him to stay with them. in the monastery. Finally, he took the habits at 8 years old.
When you turn 12, The emperor Arcadius wanted to enforce the promise his father had made and predecessor, Theodosius I, so he sent a message to the monastery where Euphrasia was, asking her to return to marry with the senator to whom she was promised.
The saint refused to leave the convent and wrote a letter to the emperor begging to set her free, in exchange for sell all the property inherited from his parents and set everyone free the slaves from his house. Euphrasia asked the emperor to distribute what he obtained among the poor. Finally, despite opposing her getting rid of his inheritance, The emperor acceded to Euphrasia’s wishes.
The young man continued his life in the monastery, enduring the discipline and difficulties of everyday lifealso facing the temptations that invited her to look back or dream with what would have become of her the privileges that corresponded to him.
Euphrasia fought “the good fight of faith” with the help of divine grace, exercising in charity, doing penance e invoking the name of Christ. Besides, the Saint healed many sick people and freed many possessed by the devil.
When The saint was around 30 years old and became seriously ill with fever. and in his deathbed, both Julia, his cellmate, and Abbess Sara They implored him to would grant them the grace of being with her one day in heaven.
Three days after death of Euphrasia (March 13, 410), Julia died and just a few days later, The same thing happened with the abbess. Those two were also crowned with the laurels of holiness: they were Saint Sara and Saint Julia.
Prayer to Saint Euphrasia
Jesus Good Shepherd,
you who told us Saint Maria Eufrasia,
woman of ardent love
for the salvation of souls,
grant us thanks
that through her we ask you.
(Make the request)
And help us to live love made mercy
for each of our brothers.
You who live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.