Saint Isidora of Egypt

Biography

Saint Isidora of Egypt, also known as Isidora the Simple, Isidora the Stulta, Isidora the Fool, or Isidore of Tabenna, was a nun in the monastery at Tabenna, Egypt. She is revered for her humility, personal piety, and dedication to the spiritual life. Saint Isidora's life in the monastery was marked by her work in the kitchen. Choosing to feign simplicity, she pretended to be a fool in order to avoid the responsibilities of teaching her fellow sisters. This allowed her to focus on her personal devotion to God and spend more time in prayer. Despite her efforts to remain humble and unnoticed, Saint Isidora's steadfast devotion and virtue did not go unnoticed by her community. The sisters in her monastery began to revere and honor her for her spiritual wisdom and piety. However, to escape this praise and affirmation, Saint Isidora eventually sought solitude and withdrew to a desert hermitage. In her hermitage, Saint Isidora continued to deepen her relationship with God through fervent prayer and ascetic practices. She dedicated the rest of her life to a solitary existence and embraced a life of voluntary poverty. It is believed that her chosen hermitage allowed her to fully live out her desire for seclusion and focus on her personal spiritual journey without the distractions of community life. Saint Isidora is acclaimed for her genuine devotion and sincere desire for holiness. She cherished her relationship with God above all else and constantly sought to deepen her understanding of spiritual truths. Her life serves as a powerful example of humility, simplicity, and dedication to God. Saint Isidora of Egypt passed away around 365 AD from natural causes. Her legacy and spiritual wisdom continued to inspire those who knew of her, even after her death. Saint Isidora was recognized and canonized as a saint before the formal establishment of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, during the Pre-Congregation period. While Saint Isidora does not have any specific patronages associated with her name, she remains a beloved figure in Christian spirituality. Her feast days are celebrated on May 1st and, on some calendars, May 10th, commemorating her profound faith, love for God, and her lifelong pursuit of personal piety.