Saint Euphrasia

Biography

Saint Euphrasia, also known as Euphrasia of Constantinople, Ephrasia of Thebes, Eufrasia, and Eupraxia, was born in the year 380 to the Roman nobility. She was the daughter of Antigonus, a senator of Constantinople, and was related to the Roman Emperor Theodosius I, who played a significant role in the conversion of Rome to a Christian state. Unfortunately, Euphrasia's father passed away shortly after her birth, and as a result, she and her mother became wards of the emperor. When Euphrasia was only five years old, the emperor arranged a marriage for her to the son of a senator. However, two years later, she and her mother moved to their lands in Egypt. It was during this time, while still a child, that Euphrasia entered a convent. Sadly, her mother passed away soon after, leaving Euphrasia as an orphan within the convent. At the age of twelve, Emperor Arcadius, who succeeded Theodosius, ordered Euphrasia to fulfill the arranged marriage to the senator's son. In response, Euphrasia made a courageous request to be relieved of this marriage arrangement. She asked the emperor to sell off her family's property and use the proceeds to feed the poor and purchase the freedom of slaves. Remarkably, Emperor Arcadius agreed, and Euphrasia was able to remain in the Egyptian convent for the rest of her life. Saint Euphrasia became renowned for her deep devotion to prayer and constant self-imposed fasting. As a way to exhaust her body and divert her mind from temptations, she would often spend her days carrying heavy stones from one place to another. Throughout her life, she faced numerous challenges, including gossip and false allegations, which stemmed partly from her foreign background. However, she remained steadfast in her faith and is celebrated as a model of virtue by Saint John Damascene. Saint Euphrasia was born in the year 380 and passed away in 420 from natural causes. She was canonized as a saint, although the canonization occurred before the formal establishment of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Her feast day is observed on different dates in the Roman Martyrology (July 24) and the Greek Church (July 25). Previously, her feast day was celebrated on March 13. Although Saint Euphrasia does not have a specific patronage assigned to her, she serves as a source of inspiration for individuals seeking spiritual strength and guidance. In artistic representations, she is often depicted as a young woman holding or carrying a stone, symbolizing her voluntary penances and mortifications. Overall, Saint Euphrasia's life is a testament to her unwavering commitment to serving God and helping others. Her selflessness, devotion, and perseverance continue to inspire believers around the world.