Euphrasia of Constantinople (d. around 412)

Having lost her father when she was only a year old, Euphrasia of Constantinople became the ward of a relative, Emperor Theodosius I the Great. When Euphrasia was just five, Theodosius promised her in marriage to the son of a wealthy senator, but her mother managed to have the nuptials put off until the child reached marriageable age. Her mother then fled with Euphrasia to Egypt, settling near a convent where the child was received as a nun at the age of seven. Following her mother's death a short time later, Euphrasia was called upon to honor the marriage promise. In a letter to the emperor, the young nun begged to be released from the betrothal. "Knowing, invincible emperor, that I have promised Jesus Christ to live in continual continence, would you have me violate my promise by marrying a mortal man, destined to become the prey of worms?" Euphrasia further asked that any possessions left to her by her parents be disposed of among the orphans, the poor, and the churches. She also requested that her slaves be freed and her farmers released from their debts, "so that it may be possible for me to serve God in future without any cares." The emperor communicated Euphrasia's message to the senate, where it was deemed that her religious commitment superseded the marriage agreement. Euphrasia remained in the convent until her death at the age of 30. Her feast day is on March 13.