Icon Saint Irene Chrysovalantou

Saint Irene lived during the reign of Queen Theodora, who restored the holy icons.

Irene came from Cappadocia and was distinguished not only for her piety, but also for her physical beauty and her noble upbringing. She was therefore asked in marriage by a distinguished man of the palace and set out for Byzantium. On the way, however, she passed by the monastery of Chrysovalantus, and was so attracted by the intercourse of the nuns that she made the great decision to remain with them. So she rejected worldly glories, returned to her homeland, sold her possessions, helping many poor people, and deposited the rest of the money in the monastery. She became a nun and her life in the monastery was very ascetic and holy.

When the abbess died, Irene, despite her refusal, was appointed her successor. From her new position, she performed her duties with excellence. God even endowed her with the prophetic and miraculous gift. Thus through her prayer, she delivered many from demons. She foresaw her death and passed away peacefully, full of joy for her pleasant heavenly journey.