Saint Eirini Chrysovalantou

Description

Osia Irini Chrysovalantou is an Asia Minor Saint who lived in the second half of the 9th and the beginning of the 10th century. She was the Abbess of Chrysovalanto Monastery and had acquired a great reputation for her virtues. At that time, the emperor of Byzantium was the iconoclast Theophilos and his wife the iconoclast Theodora. It was the period of Iconoclasm, which for more than 100 years plagued the empire. At an early age, she had already decided to live alone and went to the women’s convent of the Grand Archduke Michael & Gabriel of Chrysovalantos, which was located on the outskirts of Constantinople. In this monastery, at the age of about 15, Irini became a nun and six years later Abbess of the Chrysovalantou monastery. Synaxarists report many miracles performed by Irene as Abbess. Before she died, Osia Irene settled the affairs of the monastery and nominated her worthy successor. A week before the great day, he fasted, eating only the apple of heaven, and daily received communion of the Immaculate Mysteries. Sunday finally dawned, where for the last time Irene attended the divine service, recited the symbol of faith (I believe), received communion,she embraced the sisters and apologized to them and finally knelt before the Beautiful Gate, raised her hands and prayed for the last time.
The Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of St. Irene, the abbess of the Chrysovalantou monastery, on July 28.