Matrona of Constantinople

Venerable Matrona of Perge, who lived disguised as a monk and later founded a convent in Constantinople.

Venerable Matrona was born at Perge in Pamphylia in the fifth century and was married in Constantinople. Longing for the monastic life, she left her husband and, disguised as a eunuch named Babylas, entered a men's monastery, where her identity was eventually discovered.

After years of wandering and ascetic struggle she founded a convent in Constantinople and guided many women in the spiritual life, reposing at a great age.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Matrona of Constantinople is commemorated on November 9. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on November 22 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on November 9

• Onesiphoros the Apostle

  Apostle, Ονησιφόρος

  Holy Apostle Onesiphoros.

  Name days: Onisiforos

• 

  Nektarios of Aegina

  Hierarch, Νεκτάριος

  St. Nektarios of Aegina, Metropolitan of Pentapolis, wonderworker.

  Name days: Nektarios, Nectarios, Nectarius, Nektaria

• Theoktiste of Lesbos

  Holy Woman, Θεοκτίστη η Λεσβία

  Venerable Theoktiste of Lesbos, who lived alone for thirty-five years on the island of Paros.

  Name days: Theoktisti, Theoktiste, Theoctista

• Eustolia and Sopatra

  Holy Woman, Ευστολία και Σωπάτρα

  Venerable Eustolia and Sopatra, nuns of Constantinople.

• Symeon Metaphrastes

  Venerable, Συμεών ο Μεταφραστής

  Venerable Symeon Metaphrastes, compiler of the lives of the saints.

• John Kolovos

  Venerable, Ιωάννης ο Κολοβός

  Venerable John the Short of Scetis, disciple of Abba Ammoes and teacher of obedience.

• Euthymios and Neophytos of Docheiariou

  Venerable, Ευθύμιος και Νεόφυτος οι Δοχειαρίτες

  Venerable Euthymios and Neophytos, founders of the Docheiariou monastery on Mount Athos.