Icon of the Reverend Euphrosyne in the metal mounting. 20th century






The Reverend Euphrosyne of Polotsk, the daughter of Polotsk Knyaz’ Georgiy Vseslavich, was born at the beginning of the 12th century and had been called Predslava before she took veil in a convent. She was one of the first canonized women in the East Slavic lands. She is the famous educator of Polotsk land and the founder of the monasteries. At the age of 12, she took monastic vows and sometime later founded a monastery in the town of Seltso, near Polotsk, which still exists. The monastery is famous for the Saviour Church built during the life of Euphrosyne with unique 12th-century frescoes. The saint was engaged in copying books, teaching, and also had a great influence in the political life of the principality.
She made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where she ended her life in 1173.
The memory of St. Euphrosyne is celebrated on June 5th.