Saint Euphrasia (382-412), born in Constantinople, was the daughter of noble and pious parents, honored by the pious Emperor Theodosius and the Empress of that city. After the early death of Antigonus, her father, her mother consecrated her widowhood to God, and retired with their only child into Egypt, where she possessed a very large estate. In those days there were many monasteries of nuns as well as of holy cenobites; in one single city there were twenty thousand such holy women, consecrated to Jesus Christ. Euphrasia’s mother chose to reside near a monastery of one hundred and thirty nuns, which she often visited, accompanied by Euphrasia. When the little girl, seven years of age, begged that she might be permitted to serve God in this monastery, the pious mother wept for joy.

Then the mother led her before an image of our Redeemer, and lifting up her hands to heaven said, “Lord Jesus Christ, receive this child under Your special protection. It is You alone whom she loves and seeks; to You she recommends herself.” Then leaving her in the hands of the abbess, she went out of the monastery weeping. She continued her life of prayer and mortification, and a few years later, when this good mother fell sick, she slept in peace.

On receiving the news of her death, Theodosius sent for the noble virgin to come to court, as he considered himself her protector, and already during her childhood had arranged for her to be married to a young senator of Constantinople, when she would reach a suitable age. But the virgin wrote him letter. In it she said, “I belong to Jesus, and I cannot give myself to anyone else. My only desire is that the world should forget about me completely. I humbly beg Your Majesty to take all the riches my parents left me and give them to the poor. I ask Your Majesty to free all the slaves of my family. Please cancel all the debts people owe me.”. The emperor punctually executed all her wishes, shortly before his death in 395.

Saint Euphrasia was a perfect pattern of humility, meekness, and charity. If she found herself assaulted by any temptation, she immediately sought the advice of the abbess, who often on such occasions assigned to her some humbling and painful penitential labor, which she would execute to perfection.

Once she moved a pile of great rocks from one place to another, continuing for thirty days with wonderful simplicity, until the devil, vanquished by her humble obedience, left her in peace. She became powerful over the demons, and delivered many possessed persons. She cured a child who was paralyzed, deaf and dumb, making the sign of the cross over him and saying, “May He who created you, heal you!” She was favored with other miracles also, both before and after her death, which occurred in the year 412, the thirtieth of her age.

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32 COMMENTS

  1. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story of St. Euphrasia, her love for Jesus Christ was within her from the time of her birth. To read about the sacrifices of hard labor she did in happiness just to get rid of the temptation of the devil.
    She gave up all of her riches to be a bride of Christ Jesus. Truly, sainthood belongs to her. May the people of Egypt be helped through the intercession of St. Euphrasia. Praise to God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. Keep Shining for Jesus! emc

  5. To know how much she believed n trusted n loved jesus tell me how little i believe n trust n love him……dear saint….pray for us to share a similar love for him, jesus….the son of god

  9. St Euphrasia pls pray for my mum who has been suffering from cerebrospinal accident for a long time now. Also pray that like u, I may love n develope stronger faith in God.

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  17. Saint Euphrasia, how marvarlous your faith in Jesus. Teach me to love, encourage me to stand up and love Jesus like the way loved Lord Jesus. Please, Saint Eupharia pray for us especially myself, my children, my grandchildren and the rest of my family.

  23. You said that Euphrasia’s mother was a good mother!!!! A good mother? Leaving a 7 years old litle girl in a monastery? The child at that age does not know what she really wants!!!! It is good that now we have social workers that care for the welfare of the infants.

    • Francis: It was the little girls wish and her mother fulfilled it with joy. That was the right decision and choice a mother made.

  24. Holy Mother Euphrasia, you devoted your entire life to loving the sacred heart of Jesus and became a model of prayer and penance; give us your great and your holy life that we too love and glorify God in all things. Obtain for us from the heart of Jesus all the graces we need and protect us from every evil, especially sin so that someday we will embrace you in the heavenly kingdom. Amen.

  26. St.Euphrasia, today I pray, please conquer, overpower, and VANQUISH, the Devil that hovers over me !
    It is God’s will that I protect His PEOPLE.
    I need your strength, your unwavering faith to combat this Evil!
    St.Euphrasia,hear my PRAYER!

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