Mother Superior
Saint Anthousa lived in Paphlagonia of Asia Minor during the eighth century. She refused to marry and desired to preserve her virginity, despite her father’s efforts to arrange her marriage.
After the death of her parents, while still very young, the saint distributed her inheritance, left her family home, and withdrew to a cave. She was introduced to the monastic way of life by the elder Sisinius and practiced asceticism with great zeal, attaining a very high level of spiritual strength. Indeed, ninety virgins gathered around her, entrusted themselves to her guidance, and followed her example. Thus, Saint Anthousa was responsible for the founding of the Monastery of Mantineion, with the church of Saint Anna, as well as that of the Holy Apostles.
During the reign of Emperor Constantine Copronymus, when a great persecution against the holy icons broke out, the monastery where she lived faced serious difficulties, as it was considered as a great center of Christianity. The saint was arrested and tortured, yet she never renounced her faith.
At the same time, the emperor’s wife fell gravely ill. The saint foretold her healing, as well as the birth of twin children, a boy and a girl. Her prophecy was fulfilled, and thus was born the emperor’s daughter Anthousa, who later also became a saint.
Having regained her freedom, the saint returned to her monastery, where she reposed in peace at a very old age.
