Following the death of Emperor Theophilus I, the throne transferred to his pious wife, Theodora. Empress Theodora was responsible for restoring the veneration of icons, thereby ending the dreaded iconoclast era. She assumed the throne until such time that her son, Michael, would be old enough to reign.

When Michael turned twelve, the Empress sought out a woman who would be fitting as a wife for her son. She was made aware of the daughter of noble parents in Cappadocia, Irene. Irene was virtuous and very beautiful. (Her sister later wed the brother of Theodora, whose name was Vardis.) The Empress sent for Irene to be taken to Byzantium.

During their travels to the royal city, they passed Mt. Olympus. Irene was aware of a holy man who lived nearby named Ioannikios. He was a great ascetic who could be seen only by those who were pure of soul and heart. She asked to be given an opportunity to receive a blessing from him before continuing on their journey. Because the wise hermit could see the virtues of Irene, he called out to her as she neared him, “Welcome, Servant of God Irene! Continue to the royal city as there is the Convent of Chrysovalantou which needs your guidance.”

Amazed at the wisdom of this man who knew her name and her destiny, Irene fell before him and requested his blessing. He, indeed, gave her his blessing along with words of spiritual wisdom to strengthen and enlighten her. She continued on her journey, rejoicing.

Upon entering the royal city, Irene was greeted by her family members of nobility. She learned that God had divinely inspired the emperor Michael to take the hand of another maiden just several days prior. Irene again rejoiced in God’s intervention and sought only to dedicate her life to Him.

Irene, remembering the wise direction provided to her by the holy Ioannikios, sent for information regarding the convent of Chrysovalantou. Learning that the convent housed pious nuns in a beautiful setting, Irene gave all that she owned to the poor…all riches and endowments, every trace of her nobility. She freed her slaves, cut her golden hair and traded her life of luxury for monasticism. She entered the convent rejoicing, ready to take up her cross & follow Christ. She turned her back on all worldly passions and ways of thinking. Humbly, she care for everyone and was quickly adored by all.

Irene worked very hard not only in her physical duties but in her spiritual ones as well. She studied the lives of the saints and monastics, attended all services and earned great respect and trust - so much so that she was given the responsibility of purchasing for the monastery and holding the silver pieces of the convent, as treasurer.

In a desire to imitate the life of St Aresenios the Great, Irene implored the blessing of the abbess to attempt the spiritual struggle of all night prayer. The abbess, seeing her virtues, granted this to her. She would stand all night long with her arms raised to the Heavens in prayer. She embarked on this struggle towards the end of her first year at the convent. In return for her steadfastness, Irene received Divine Grace and was able to stand for over 24 hours in this manner. Even the abbess was amazed at the zeal of the young novice.

The evil one would constantly try to lure the pious Irene into his many pitfalls. He would remind her of her past life of luxury, attempt to arouse her with lustful thoughts in order to return her to her past life of riches and worldly things. However, Irene never wavered to these tricks. She could see the evil one's trap from a mile away and had become an expert in spiritual warfare. She confessed always to her abbess and continued onward, up her spiritual path. She gained such strength from these spiritual struggles that she was able to make demons disappear by the sign of the cross .

However, the evil was persistent and Irene was continuously tormented with evil imaginings. She fought as a good soldier, using fasting and prayer as her weapons. She would often drench the floor with her tears while praying to the Theotokos and Archangels Michael and Gabriel (whom the convent was dedicated to). For days she would pray. In return, she was illumined by Divine Grace. This relieved her of her torments and strengthened her to continue her ascetic struggle.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, Irene was transfigured and she led many on the path towards salvation. People of all walks of life would come to her for counseling and direction. She offered words that would only benefit the soul of the listener, with tenderness and consideration. She never belittled and chose her words wisely.

When the abbess of the monastery became ill, she gathered with many of her nuns at a time when Irene was not around. Informing the nuns of her upcoming repose, she said, “Do not be sad of the news of my departure for you have as my successor one much more holy and capable than I. I speak of Irene, the daughter of Light. She is a vessel of the Holy Spirit and a lamb of God. Choose only her and be obedient to her.” Then she committed her soul to the awaiting angels saying, “Glory to your mercy, O Lord!”

The nuns knew Irene’s great humility and didn't want to upset her with the words of the abbess regarding her successor. The nuns departed to seek the blessing of the Patriarch Methodios who possessed the Holy Spirit and had the gift of foresight. Irene provided reasons why she could not go with them but the nuns persisted until finally they were able to persuade her.

Upon arriving and asking the Patriarch for his blessing, he asked the nuns whom they had chosen to be their new abbess. They said that they had not chosen anyone for they hoped for him to make this decision, based on the fact that he was led by the Holy Spirit. He responded that he knew the nuns wanted Irene as their abbess and that this choice was pleasing to God. He thanked the Lord for revealing to him the correct path. He then ordained Irene as a deaconess of The Church. He guided her in how to shepherd her nuns and lead them to salvation. They all received the blessing of the Patriarch and set off back to the monastery. Irene wept, feeling inadequate and unworthy. She reminded herself of the responsibilities that lie ahead of her and fought her struggles even harder than before, hoping that God would see her struggles and grant her wisdom in guiding her nuns.

Soon, she gathered her nuns and said, “I know, my sisters in Christ, that it does not seem possible that I, your unworthy servant, should be chosen to be your guide. But the ways of the Lord are mysterious and since by his grace he has willed me to be your superior, I pray that you will obey me and follow my lowly words. For if we do not follow the rules of the habit that we wear and have promised before God and his angels, then we are of no benefit. We have not left the temporal world in order to disobey him but rather to inherit the eternal world. Let us not end up as the unwise virgins but rather let us despise our own souls and every earthly passion lest we lose ourselves and others with us, also.” ...CONTINUED on page 2

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Saints Pistis, Elpis, Agape and Sophia