The Nun Evphrosynia
Commemorated on May 17, July 7
The Nun
Evphrosynia, in the world Evdokia, was the daughter of the Suzdal' prince
Dimitrii Konstantovich (+ 1383), and from 1367 was the spouse of the Moscow
GreatPrince Dimitrii Donskoi. Their happy union was for Russia a pledge of
union and peace between Moscow and Suzdal'. Great influence was had upon the
spiritual life of the princess Evdokia by Sainted Alexei, Metropolitan of
Moscow, and even by the Monk Sergei of Radonezh, who baptised one of the sons
of Dimitrii and Evdokia. the godfather of another was the Monk Dimitrii of
Prilutsk. The holy princess was a builder of churches. In 1387 she founded in
the Moscow Kremlin the Ascension women's-monastery. In 1395, – during the time
of the invasion of Tamerlane into the southern regions of Russia, upon her
advice the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was transferred to Moscow,
miraculously defending the Russian land. In secret as an ascetic deed during
Lent, the princess wore chains beneathe her splendid royal clothes. By her
patronage was written the famous image of the Archangel Michael, set afterwards
as the temple patron-saint icon of the Kremlin Archangel Cathedral.
Having raised five
sons (a sixth died in infancy), the princess took monastic vows with the name
Evphrosynia. Having completed her earthly journey in prayer and ascetic deeds,
Saint Evdokia peacefully reposed on 7 July 1407 and was buried in the Ascension
monastery founded by her.
An emotionally imbued
memorial of old-Russian church poetry is known of, expounding the lament of the
princess for her husband, who had died at age 39.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
