Saint Matrona was born in Perge of Pamphylia in the 5th century. After marrying Dometius and giving birth to her daughter Theodotia, the family moved to Constantinople. Matrona, who loved to visit the temple, began to imitate the holy elders Eugene and Susanna, striving for renunciation of the world. After a vision in which she was instructed to enter a male monastery, she cut her hair, dressed in male clothing, and entered the monastery of Saint Vassian, passing herself off as the eunuch Vavila.
In the monastery, Matrona showed humility and diligence, but soon the abbot discovered that she was a woman. She revealed her intentions and was blessed to live in a women's monastery in Emesa. There, she became the abbess and became renowned for her virtues and the gift of healing.
Upon learning of her exploits, her husband came to the monastery, and Matrona secretly left for Jerusalem, then to Beirut, where she founded a new monastery. Later, upon learning of her husband's death, she returned to Constantinople and established a women's monastery there, known for its strict rule and the virtuous life of the sisters.
In her old age, Matrona was granted a vision of paradise and departed to the Lord at the age of one hundred, around the year 492.
