Euphrosyne of Alexandria

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'''Euphrosyne of Alexandria''' ({{langx|el| Ἁγία Εὐφροσύνη}} tr. "good cheer"'','' 410–470),Swan, p. 83Kirsch, Johann Peter (1913). [[wikisource:Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/St._Euphrosyne|"St. Euphrosyne"]]. In Charles G. Herberman; ''et al''. (eds.). ''Catholic Encyclopedia''. '''5'''. New York: Encyclopedia Press, Inc. p. 11. also called '''Euphrosynē,'''{{Cite web|title=Venerable Euphrosynē of Alexandria|url=https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2017/09/25/102726-venerable-euphrosyn-of-alexandria|access-date=1 January 2021|publisher=Orthodox Church in America|location=Syosset, New York}} was a [[saint]] who disguised herself as a male to enter a [[monastery]] and live, for 38 years, as an [[Asceticism|ascetic]]. Her [[Calendar of saints|feast day]] is celebrated on September 25 by the [[Greek Orthodox Church]] and [[Byzantine Rite Catholic]]s, on September 27 by the [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]], and on January 16 by the [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Church]].

'''Euphrosyne of Alexandria''' ({{langx|el| Ἁγία Εὐφροσύνη}} tr. "good cheer"'','' 410–470),Swan, p. 83Kirsch, Johann Peter (1913). [[wikisource:Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/St._Euphrosyne|"St. Euphrosyne"]]. In Charles G. Herberman; ''et al''. (eds.). ''Catholic Encyclopedia''. '''5'''. New York: Encyclopedia Press, Inc. p. 11. also called '''Euphrosynē,'''{{Cite web|title=Venerable Euphrosynē of Alexandria|url=https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2017/09/25/102726-venerable-euphrosyn-of-alexandria|access-date=1 January 2021|publisher=Orthodox Church in America|location=Syosset, New York}} was an [[Egyptians|Egyptian]] [[saint]] who disguised herself as a male to enter a [[monastery]] and live, for 38 years, as an [[Asceticism|ascetic]]. Her [[Calendar of saints|feast day]] is celebrated on September 25 by the [[Greek Orthodox Church]] and [[Byzantine Rite Catholic]]s, on September 27 by the [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]], and on January 16 by the [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Church]].{{Cite web |last=basilica.ro |date=2025-09-24 |title=St. Euphrosyne; Martyr Paphnutius of Egypt; Repose of St. Sergius, abbot of Radonezh |url=https://basilica.ro/en/orthodox-calendar-september-25/ |access-date=2026-04-18 |website=Basilica.ro |language=en-US}}

Euphrosyne was purportedly born to a wealthy family in [[Alexandria]]. When she was 18, her father wanted her to marry, so she escaped, disguised as a man, and entered a monastery. She spent most of her years as a monk in seclusion from the other monks. During the final year of her life, Euphrosyne became her father's spiritual director, comforting his grief over losing his only daughter. Eventually, she revealed her identity to him and they reconciled. After she died, he entered her monastery and became an ascetic himself, living in her cell until he died ten years later. Ecclesiastical historian [[Johann Peter Kirsch]] considered her story a legend.

Euphrosyne was purportedly born to a wealthy family in [[Alexandria]]. When she was 18, her father wanted her to marry, so she escaped, disguised as a man, and entered a monastery. She spent most of her years as a monk in seclusion from the other monks. During the final year of her life, Euphrosyne became her father's spiritual director, comforting his grief over losing his only daughter. Eventually, she revealed her identity to him and they reconciled. After she died, he entered her monastery and became an ascetic himself, living in her cell until he died ten years later. Ecclesiastical historian [[Johann Peter Kirsch]] considered her story a legend.