|
The Nun Eupraxia of Tabenyssa (Tabeneia the Older), Commemorated on January 12 The Nun Eupraxia
of Tabenyssa (Tabeneia the Older), was the mother of the Nun Eupraxia,
maiden of Tabenyssa (Comm. 25 July). She was the spouse of the pious senator
Antigones, who was connected by birth with the emperor Theodosius the great
(379-395). Becoming widowed, Saint Eupraxia devoted herself completely to the
service of the lord. Having made the rounds of many monastic establishments and
having left liberal alms, she came to the Tabenyssa monastery, where the
hegumeness was the nun Theodoula, known for her strict rule. Deeply moved by
the pure way of convent life, Saint Eupraxia came often to this monastery and
always brought her daughter with her, who was then eight years old. The virtues
and prayers of her parents summoned a particular grace of god upon the maiden,
and even from her youthful years she desired to dedicate herself to God. To her
mother's great joy, hegumeness Theodoula kept the child Eupraxia at the convent
and gave blessing for her to take monastic vows. © 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos. |
|