In the city of Polotsk there lived Prince Vseslav. Saint Euphrosyne was born from his son George. Her secular name was Predslava. From a young age she studied the Scriptures with eagerness and expressed her love for God.
When she turned twelve, many princes sought her hand in marriage, but she refused, having resolved to dedicate herself to Christ. Learning of her father’s intention to arrange her marriage, she left secretly and withdrew to a women’s monastery, where she became a nun under the name Euphrosyne.
When her parents eventually found her, they arrived at the monastery filled with sorrow. She consoled them, urging them to rejoice and glorify God for her decision. In the monastery she devoted her time to constant prayer and ascetic discipline, showing humility and steadfast faith.
She asked bishop Elias for permission to live in a small cell near the Church of Saint Sophia. There she continued to pray, to write books, and to distribute her resources to the poor. One day, an angel of the Lord appeared before her and pointed out a place near the Church of the Saviour in Selco.
The bishop, having also received a divine vision, agreed with her request and gave his blessing for her to establish a women’s monastery in that place. The saint became an example for many women, including her sister Gradislava, who likewise devoted her life to Christ.
Before long, there began the construction of a church dedicated to Christ the Saviour. When the building was completed, Saint Euphrosyne prayed that God would bless the sisterhood. She also built a church in honour of the Mother of God and commissioned an icon of Theotokos Hodegetria, which she received from emperor Manuel and patriarch Luke.
After her parents’ death, she decided to visit the Holy Land in Jerusalem. Despite the tears of her relatives, she set out unwaveringly on her journey. In Jerusalem she venerated the life-giving Tomb of Christ and settled in a monastery, where she soon fell gravely ill.
Before her repose, she prayed that her soul might be received into the heavenly Kingdom. Saint Euphrosyne fell asleep in the Lord on May 23. Her body was buried in the monastery of Saint Theodosios. News of her passing was brought to Polotsk and the date of her commemoration was established.
