St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk

  Posted on May 23, 2020  by admin  No comments

Born: 1110 at Polotsk, Belarus as Pradslava 

Died: 1173 at the monastery of Mar Saba near Jerusalem of natural causes, re-interred in the Monastery of the Caves at Kiev in 1187, relics translated to Polotsk in 1910 at the Saviour-Efrosinia Convent 

Canonized: 1984 by Pope John Paul II in Belarus 

Patronage: Belarus 

Daughter of Prince Svyatoslav of Polotsk. Granddaughter of Prince Polacak Usiaslau. Entered the Convent of Holy Wisdom at Polotsk, a house founded by her aunt, at age 12; she was later joined by her sister, two nieces, and a cousin. Hermit in a cell in the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom. Book copyist; proceeds from the sale of the books were given to the poor. Founded a convent at Seltse. 

Pilgrim to Constantinople; received by emperor Manuel I and Patriarch Michael III. Pilgrim to the Holy Lands where she was received by the Crusader King Amaury I. Especially venerated by Belarussians, Ruthenians, Lithuanians, and Russians.