Library › Narrative of St Euphrosyne

Narrative of St Euphrosyne

tr. Lewis, 1900

Chapter 3

Again, the story of Euphrosyne of Alexandria.

Now there was once upon a time in the great city of Alexandria a certain honourable man whose name was Paphnutius, and he was assiduous in fulfilling the commandments of God. And he took a wife who was modest and worthy of his choice, and she was of a well-known and honourable family, and she was barren and she did not bear [a child]; and her husband was in much concern and in sore vexation, because he had no son to whom he might leave his wealth, after his departure from the world, to dispose of his wealth properly to the needy. But when his wife saw her husband was vexed, she rested neither by night nor by day, being continually in the churches imploring with fasting and with prayer that God would grant her a child. She gave great wealth to the poor and to the sick, and distributed it to holy dwellings and to monasteries. And in that city her husband also, when he passed by the churches and the monasteries, groaned and desired that he might meet with a monastery and might find a man who was worthy before God who was likely by means of his prayer to persuade God to grant him the desire of his heart. And at last he went to a certain monastery in which there was a famous Abbot. A certain great God-fearing monk was in it. And when he entered that monastery he gave him a benediction and he sat in an expansive and protracted conversation with the Abbot and with the brethren who were sitting with him. Then after a little while he revealed his secret to the Abbot, and he was inclined to his request that they should persuade God on his behalf, to grant them fruit of their loins. And God took pity on the request of the two and granted them one daughter.

Now when Paphnutius saw the good government and modest life of the Abbot, he did not go away from that convent. On this account also he brought his wife many times there to be blessed by the Abbot and by the brethren who were with him. When the girl was weaned and was about six years old they baptized her and called her name Euphrosyne. But her parents rejoiced greatly that she was beloved by God and was beautiful of countenance and was very lovely in her aspect.

Now when she was thirteen years old her mother departed from the world, and her father continued to educate and teach her in the Scriptures and the wisdom of God. But the girl was worthy to be on the right side by nature and as the fruit of prayer. And she loved instruction to such a degree that her father admired her because of it. And her name was spread abroad in all the city because of her wisdom and love of learning. But yet more because of the great development of her stature, and the splendid beauty of her countenance. And many great and powerful men were attracted to love her, to betroth her as a bride for their sons, and many came to her father in order to get an advantage over each other in betrothing her to their sons. But he said to them, Let the will of God be done. Now one of the great men who was more excellent than them all in power, and in might, called her father and spoke with him about the matter; and [her father] was persuaded and betrothed her to his son, and he gave her a betrothal present. But a short time afterwards, when she was about eighteen years of age, her father led her and conducted her to that monastery, and carried with her all good things to do honour to the Abbot and to the brethren who were with him. And whilst he was talking with them he said to the Abbot: Behold, I have brought to you the fruit of your prayers about which you prayed. If God wills, I wish to give her to a husband. And the Abbot commanded that they should lodge him in the hospice for strangers of the convent, whilst he talked with the girl and blessed her and prayed for her. And he talked of many things with her about purity and virginity and the fear of God. And she progressed very greatly in her learning. When she had been in the convent three days she listened to the singing of their daily service, and she saw the beautiful assiduity of their conduct and she wondered at their virtues, saying, Blessed are these elect ones because that although they are in the world they have the likeness of angels; and after their departure from this world they are worthy of eternal life. And she began to repent in her heart, because of the fear of God.

But after three days Paphnutius said to the Abbot: Command, O spiritual father, concerning thy handmaiden that she may come to thee, and grant her the prayer of thy mouth. For it is our desire to go to the city. But when she came into the Abbot’s presence, Euphrosyne threw herself down before his feet, saying to him, I beseech thee, father, pray for me that God may redeem my soul. And the Abbot raised his hands and said: God who knowest everything when it has not yet been, do Thou lead this Thy handmaid to grace, that she may please Thee and may be worthy to find a portion and an inheritance with those who please Thee. And they took leave of the Abbot and went away to their city. But her father, when he saw a hermit in the city, received him and brought him into his house, and persuaded him to pray for him and his daughter. But a certain day came when there was to be the commemoration of the monastery. And the Abbot sent a certain brother to bring Paphnutius to the commemoration and the vigil of the monastery. And when this brother went to his house and asked about him the young men said that he had gone out. But when Euphrosyne learnt about the arrival of that recluse she called him and recognized him, saying to him, “About how many brethren are there in that monastery?” And he said to her, “Three hundred and fifty-two.” And she said to him, “Whosoever therefore wishes to go and dwell there, do they receive him, O father? And do you all therefore sing in one church? And do you keep one fast?” The recluse said to her, “The music is sung by all of us in a congregation, but each [keeps] the fast as he wishes and can endure.”

Then when she had inquired about all the affairs of the monastery she said to the recluse, “I could have wished that I were able to go out from this vain world, but I fear that my father wishes to give me to husbands because of the vain wealth of this world.” The recluse said to her, “Nay, my daughter, let not a man dishonour thy body, and do not surrender such beauty to shameful passion, but be thou altogether in thy purity a bride to the Christ, who is able to give thee instead of these transitory things the kingdom of heaven. Therefore shave thy head in secret and go to the monastery and thou shalt be saved.” Now when she had heard these words she said to the hermit, “And who will shave me? for I do not wish to be shaved by laymen, for they do not keep secrets.” The hermit said to her, “Behold I am about to take thy father to the monastery, and he will be there three or four days. Thou therefore send and call one of the recluses and thus as thou desirest he will arrange for thy comfort.” But whilst Euphrosyne and the hermit were talking her father also arrived. And when Paphnutius saw the hermit, he recognized him and asked him, “What is the reason of the work of God’s love in thee towards us?” The recluse said to him, “It is the vigil and commemoration of the monastery, and our father the Abbot sent us that thou shouldest come and enjoy his prayers with us.” And when Paphnutius, the father of Euphrosyne, had heard it he rejoiced greatly. And he carried with him what was necessary for many days, and put it into a ship whilst he went to the monastery. And when Paphnutius arrived at that monastery he was blessed by the Abbot. And while Paphnutius was in the monastery Euphrosyne sent one of her faithful servants to the church where the recluses were assembled, the one which was called of Theodosius, and said to that young man, “Look for the first hermit who meets thee in the church, take him and bring him to this place.” And when the young man had gone as he was bidden, as if it were by the doing of God a very old man met him who was from Scete. Now when the boy who was sent by Euphrosyne saw the old man, he took him and brought him to her. And when the girl saw him she said to him, “Pray for me, father.” And when he had prayed for her he sat down. But she said to the old man, “Father, I have a father and he is a servant of God, and he has great riches, and he had a wife and from her he begat me; and he wishes because of his riches to marry me in this sinful world. And I do not at all wish to be contaminated by the pollution of this world, and on the other hand I fear to rebel against my own father: and what I shall do I know not. For all this night I have been awake on account of this; whilst I implored of God that He would make known to me what is profitable for my poor soul. And after the light had dawned it was shown to me that I should send to the church, and should fetch the first hermit who met me. And behold, as if by the guidance of God, thou hast been sent to us, and now I would persuade thee, father, teach me what will help me.”

But when the old man had heard these words from her he began to talk with her, saying, “And what dost thou wish my daughter? When our Lord saith that whosoever hateth not his father and his mother and his brethren and his sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. But what business have I to say more than this to thee? If therefore thou art able to endure the temptations of the adversaries, leave everything and flee; for to the wealth of thy parents many heirs will be found. Lo! there are churches, and there are asylums for the poor, and there are prisons, and there are hospices, and there are monasteries, and there are orphans, and there are widows, and there are lepers, and there are sick people, and there are prisoners; let thy father leave them to whatsoever place it may please him. But only do not thou lose thy soul.”

Euphrosyne said to him: “I hope in God by your prayers, that I am eager to save my soul.” The old man said to her, “My daughter, if thou wilt do this, do it quickly, without delay, lest thou be prevented and prohibited through negligence from this beautiful purpose of thy heart.” The girl said to the old man, “I brought thee here, my lord, for this purpose, that thou mightest accomplish the desire of my soul.” And forthwith the old man rose up, engaged in prayer, shaved her, dressed her in a robe and prayed for her, saying, “May God who hath redeemed all the saints keep thee from evil.” And when the old man had said these things he departed from her. Then Euphrosyne considered and said, “If it be that I am to go to a convent of women my father will never cease to seek till he has found me, and he will snatch me away by force from the convent on account of my betrothed. But I will put myself into a domicile of men, in a place where no one will suspect me.” And she took off women’s clothes and wrapped herself in the garb of a man. And when it was evening she went forth from her house, taking with her five hundred dinars.

And in the morning her father arrived and came to his city, and as if it were by the direction of God he went at once to the church. And Euphrosyne his daughter went to the very monastery which her father loved. And she talked with the porter and said to him, “Brother, if it please thee, go and say to the Abbot that a certain eunuch from the palace is at the door outside and desires to speak to thee.” And when the porter had entered and related her business to the Abbot, he commanded him to enter. And when he had entered, he threw himself down and did penance. And after a prayer had been offered they sat down. The Abbot said to her: “Why has the love of God that is in thee made thee trouble thyself about us?” She replied to him, “Father, I am from the palace, and I had a love for the garb of a recluse: and I knew our city does not know very well that a monastic community dwells in it. And I heard about thy Holiness and about this monastery, and I am come to be with you if it please you to accept me. I have great wealth, and if we are seated on our seats in the quiet of this dwelling I will bring it to the door.” The Abbot said to him: “Thou hast done well in coming, my son: behold the monastery is before thee, if it seem good in thine eyes, abide with us.” And again the Abbot said to him: “My son, what is thy name?” “Esmeraldus,” he replied. The Abbot said, “Since thou art so young, and thou canst not dwell alone, it is expedient for thee to have an older man with thee, that he may teach thee the rule of monasticism.” “I will do as thou desirest,” said the blessed one. And Esmeraldus brought out the five hundred dinars and gave them into the hands of the Abbot, saying, “Take these, father, and do as thou wilt with them, and if I know that I can live quietly here, I will bring also the remainder.”

Then the Abbot called a certain brother whose name was Agapius, a sensible man, and delivered over Esmeraldus to him, saying, “Let this man be henceforth thy son and thy disciple.” And he bent the knee and prayed, and Agapius took him away to his cell because his face was covered with beauty like an emerald. And when he came into the refectory Satan made many to stumble at his beauty, so that they complained against the Abbot, that he had received such a fair and beautiful face into the monastery, and when the Abbot learnt it he called for Esmeraldus and said to him, “The fair beauty of thy face has occasioned many falls to those who are not well-established. I therefore desire thee to dwell in a separate cell at some distance from [the monastery] and thou mayest be quiet and sing hymns there and eat; and do not let thyself be seen by the brethren.” And he ordered Agapius to prepare a separate cell so that Esmeraldus might dwell in it.

Then Agapius did all that he was commanded to do by the Abbot, and he conducted Esmeraldus and led him into a cell. And whilst he was occupying this cell he was very zealous and constant in fasting, vigil, and prayer, and in sleeping on the ground, and in the reading of the sacred Scriptures; and was praising God by night and by day, so that Agapius saw the assiduity of Esmeraldus and the great excess of his humility, and was amazed. He related to the brethren all about his great zeal, and by this they made progress and were instructed.

But the father of Euphrosyne arrived at dinner-time and went into his house. And when he did not find his daughter he asked his servants, “Where is Euphrosyne, my daughter?” And they said to him, “We saw her last evening, but since the morning we have not seen her.” Then her father thought that perhaps her betrothed had come and taken her away; and he sent to inquire about this matter. But when the father of her betrothed and his son heard this they were greatly disquieted, and they arose and came in haste to the house of Paphnutius, and found that he had flung himself on the earth and was in tears. And he said, “Perhaps some man has deceived her and taken her away and fled with her.” He sent horsemen instantly through all Egypt and to the provinces, and he sent ships and skiffs on the sea in quest of her, and the nunneries and the churches and the caves and the deserts were searched; and they inquired about her of their friends and neighbours, and they searched for her over all the city. But no searcher found her.

Now when they had sought for her in every place and had not found her, they wailed and wept for her as for one dead. The father-in-law wept for his daughter-in-law, the father wailed for his daughter, saying, “Woe is me, my fondly loved daughter! Woe is me for the light of my eyes! Woe is me for the consolation and solace of my soul! Who is he that hath robbed me of my treasure? Who is he that hath snatched away my nestling? Who is he that hath scattered my wealth? Who is he that hath carried away the beauty and ornament of my house? Who is he that hath entered and robbed me of my own hope? Which wolf has snatched away my sheep? What place hides the beauty that is like the sun? What abyss holds captive from me that royal seal? For she was to be the raiser up of my race. She was the staff of my old age. She was my rest in labours. She was the repose of my troubles. She it was who lightened my miseries. O earth! cover not the blood of my darling till I learn who has turned my joy into sorrow.”

Now when Paphnutius’ friends and neighbours heard how he wept for his daughter, and wailed for her in such words, they also wailed and wept for her with a loud voice, until the whole city was stirred by the noise of their mourning and wept for the sudden loss of the young girl.

Now when Paphnutius had come to acquiesce in the inexorable nature of his sorrow, he went to the monastery, and threw himself at the feet of the Abbot, saying to him, “I beg of thee, my father, do not neglect prayer to God until they find the effects of thy prayers. Thy handmaiden, my daughter, has been abducted.” And when the Abbot heard this he was greatly troubled, and he commanded them to beat the wooden gongs, so that the brethren might be assembled. And when they had come together, he said to them, “Brethren, make [a confession of] sins, and appoint a sabbath, and fast every two days, and strive with God, and beg Him to reveal and disclose to us where is the daughter of Paphnutius.” But when they had fasted all the sabbath, God did not reveal the matter to any one of them, because her own prayers overcame the prayers and vigils of all the brethren. For she had striven with God, and had persuaded Him not to disclose anything concerning her in her lifetime. For all the brethren were sorrowing because God had not revealed this matter to them. But the Abbot encouraged Paphnutius, saying, “Do not afflict thyself, nor grieve, but thank God, and whatever He wills He will make known to thee concerning her, for thou knowest that she has not devoted herself to any evil, but to good; and for this reason God does not wish to make known what concerns her to any of us. If she had been about any evil, God would not have been neglectful of thy labours, and of those of the holy men who are amongst us.” And when Paphnutius heard this he was a little quieter in his affliction and went away to his city praying that God would make him worthy of the good and beautiful home¹. Then after a little while he again went to that monastery and paid his respects to the brethren and returned to his city. On one of the days when he went to the monastery the Abbot said to him, “I want you to talk with a certain good brother from the palace of the Emperor Theodosius.” Paphnutius replied, “Father, I am content,” and the Abbot sent and called Agapius his chief [monk] and said to him, “Take my lord Paphnutius and lead him to brother Esmeraldus, so that he may profit by him. And he took him and conducted him thither.” But when Euphrosyne saw her father she was all bathed in her tears. But her father imagined that penitence was the reason of her tears. He did not recognize her in the very least, for her beauty was withered up by her much fasting, and her vigils, and by her sleeping on the ground, for she had covered up her face in a rug, so that her father might not recognize her by some tokens. When they had engaged in prayer he sat down and she began to talk to him about mercy and righteousness and love and chastity, and about the freedom of souls, and while Esmeraldus was speaking the heart of Paphnutius was moved, and he was full of tears. And he was impelled by his love to embrace her. But he was ashamed of it, and restrained himself. So while they were speaking to each other about things profitable to the soul, Paphnutius went away from Esmeraldus, and going to the Abbot, said to him, “Glory be to God, O father, for how much have I profited by this man. God [only] knows how my soul has been captivated by his love, as if he had been Euphrosyne my daughter.” And he took leave of the brethren and returned to his city.

Now when Esmeraldus had been in the monastery for thirty-eight years, he fell ill of the sore sickness which was the cause of [his] death. And during his sickness Paphnutius also arrived and came to that monastery. And after he had talked as usual with the Abbot, he said to him, “My lord, I wish to see Esmeraldus, whom my soul loves fondly.” And the Abbot sent and called for Agapius and said to him, “Take my lord Paphnutius and conduct him to our brother Esmeraldus, for it seems to me that he will not again see him in life.” And when Paphnutius went he fell on the rug on which Esmeraldus was lying and kissed his feet, saying, “Pray for me, brother, that God may give me consolation concerning my daughter, for my soul is not yet healed of its grief (about her).” Esmeraldus said to him, “Do not grieve, and do not weep, for whilst thou art here God will disclose and make known to thee [something] concerning thy daughter. But I advise thee to stay here for three days, and not to go far away from me.” He said to him, “Thou hast commanded and I will certainly do it. I will not go away, I will not leave thee for these three days.”

Now when the third day arrived, and he knew therefore that he was departing to his Lord, she said to Paphnutius, “My father, since God has guided me according to His will, and has fulfilled the desire of my soul, I wish that from to-day thou mayest be quit of grief in the matter of Euphrosyne thy daughter. For I am that poor and miserable one, and behold! thou hast seen me, and thou art at rest, and thy wish is fulfilled. But for the sake of our Lord let no one know this. Moreover, do not allow any one else to shroud my body, but thou only, do thou shroud me. And because I confessed to the Abbot, my father, when I came here and took upon myself this gentle yoke, that I possess great wealth, and that being permitted to sojourn here, I should leave it to those in this monastery, leave it to them, father. And thou also, my father Paphnutius, knowest this place where we live in the fear of God, and I beg of thee, my father, pray for me, a miserable creature.”

And when the blessed, holy Euphrosyne had said this she yielded up her spirit to God. Now when her father Paphnutius had heard it, he wondered and fainted, and fell to the ground, and was as one dead. And Agapius, the master of Esmeraldus, entered and saw that he was already dead, and he sprinkled water on his face, saying to him, “What is the matter with thee, my lord Paphnutius?” But he said to him, “Leave me to die here, for I have seen glorious things to-day.” And when Agapius had raised him up, he threw himself again on his face, and kissed her, and drenched her with his tears, crying out and saying, “Woe is me, my beloved daughter! Woe is me for the light of my eyes! Wherefore didst thou not disclose this to me aforetime, that I also might die willingly with thee? What a great wonder that thou hast despised in such a way the wickedness of the enemy! how thou hast escaped from the power of the princes of the darkness of this world, my daughter, and hast entered into everlasting life!”

Now when Agapius heard these things, a great astonishment fell upon him; and he ran weeping to the Abbot, and related all the occurrence to him. Now when the Abbot had heard these things he came in haste and fell upon the corpse of the holy Euphrosyne weeping, and crying out and saying: “Bride of the Christ! and holy daughter, do not disappoint the members of thy community, nor this holy monastery, but pray and beg from God that He may give us understanding that we may direct it courageously and reach the haven of salvation, and enjoy with thee the good things of eternity.” And he commanded them to beat the wooden gongs, and to assemble all the communities, and accompany her with great honour. Then when all the communities were congregated to learn about the story of the saint, a great amazement fell upon them all, and they sang praises to God who had done signs and wonders. Then one of the brethren who had only one eye, the other one being closed, stepped in to embrace the body of the saint. And when he put his face to her face, his eye, which was closed, was opened and he saw with it. And when all the brethren saw it they sang praises to God, who is to be admired in His saints and who doeth signs and wonders by their hands, and who hath given the seal of remission and of redemption to those who are willing to take refuge in the love of our Lord Jesus the Christ. And they carried the body of the saint in procession with psalms and hymns as it was fitting. And they put her on the bier of the fathers in a place of honour. Then her father Paphnutius gave all his wealth and his possessions to the churches and to the monasteries, to the poor, the orphans, and the widows. But he gave the greater part of his riches to the monastery in which his daughter Euphrosyne lay. And, moreover, he shut himself up in his daughter’s cell. And he had great consolation in the rug upon which his daughter had lain on the ground during her life. And her father lived for ten years in that monastery and departed to his Lord. And he left the things of earth, and was buried by the side² of Saint Euphrosyne his daughter; to the glory of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, to whom be dignity, praise and honour for ever and ever. Amen.

Here endeth the story of Esmeraldus of Alexandria.

Contents