Euphrosyne of Polotsk

Vseslav Charodey’s (Vseslav the magician) grand-daughter was born in 1104 in the city of Polotsk in the family of princes and was named an ancient Polotsk name Pradslava. From her early years the girl impressed with her beauty and abilities for sciences. Her parents planned to marry her at the age of 12, but she chose a way of spiritual perfection and secretly took the veil under the name of Euphrosyne. At convent Euphrosyne devoted her time to sciences and became one of the most well-educated women of that time in Europe: she was acquainted with the works by the Roman and Byzantine theologians, by the Slavic enlighteners Cyril and Methodius, "Story of the past years" by chronicler Nestor, Aristotle’s and Plato’s philosophical treatises. The bishop of Polotsk allowed her to live in the cell of Sophia cathedral, where she started rewriting manuscripts and translating from Greek and Latin.

Euphrosyne founded a monastery and a convent in Polotsk, where scriptoriums were opened – shops for rewriting books and schools.

Mother Superior Euphrosyne was the first Belarusian patroness, who gathered talented people: after her order they built Saviour’s temple, goldsmith Lazar’ Bogsha created a famous Cross – a national sacred object of Belarus, appearance of the invaluable icon of Our Lady Odiguitria (Our Guiding Lady) from Byzantine, painted by apostle Luke.

In her declining years Euphrosyne made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where her life ended in 1167. The enlightener was buried in Jerusalem, in 20 years her remains were moved to Kiev-Pecherskaya Lavra, and in 1910 her relics were returned to Saviour-Euphrosyne convent founded by her, where they are preserved today.

Euphrosyne of Polotsk became the first East-Slavonic woman who was canonized by the Orthodox church. Saint Euphrosyne memory day is celebrated June 5th .