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Our venerable mother '''Irene of Chrysovalantou''' was the [[abbess]] of the [[monastery]] of Chrysovalantou. Her [[feast day]] is on [[July 28]].
Originally slated to wed the Emperor, she went to the monastery of Chrysovalantou, and immediately engaged herself in vigils and prayer. She then replaced the Abbess very early on, and increased her spiritual struggles, with great trust in God to guide the community properly. She developed the gifts of foresight and exorcism. Her prayer through the night continued in the courtyard of the monastery, and caused herself to levitate and the cypress trees to bend towards her. She was granted three apples from St John the Theologian, visions of angels[[angel]]s, and appeared in a vision to the Emperor to release an unjustly convicted man. After her death at 102 years, she continued to be a wonderworker.
[[Image:St_Irene_Chrysovalantou.jpg|frame|right|Saint Irene, Abbess of the Monastery of Chrysovalantou]]
The abbess of Chrysovalantou noticed that Irene was following [[Christ]]'s words that "without Me, you can do nothing. Anyone who remains in Me as I remain in him will bear much fruit" ([[Gospel of John|John]] 15:5); and the [[novice]] was admired by all for her obedience, humility, love, and enthusiasm; her community went so far as to say that she had the spirit of a freed slave.
In her [[cell ]] she read the lives of the saints, learning from St. [[Arsenios the Great|Arsenios]] the night-long prayer. Irene asked for a blessing to embark on this, and the abbess, recognising Irene's humility, granted her request before the end of her first year of the novitiate. Irene was able to stand from morning to night with [[orans|hands raised]], sometimes standing for full days without movement, much to the amazement of the abbess.
Irene would do this for three years, and the evil one was unable to divert her because of Irene's success in subduing earthly thoughts and temptations through [[abstinence]] and obedience. Her food was bread and water, with occasional supplements from herbs or vegetables; her [[habit]] was replaced only every [[Easter]], and she would only clean it to give to the poor during [[Lent]]. Her obedience was cleaning the bathroom. Any wayward thoughts or signs of the evil one's activity were immediately [[confession|confessed]] to the abbess, with Irene's exercises recommenced.
:"Do not lament my departure for in my successor you have a leader who is wiser than I. Be obedient to her, this daughter of light, lamb of Christ and vessel of the Holy Spirit. Do not accept anyone but Irene."
Then, with the words "Glory to You, O Lord, in Your mercy," she reposed. Irene was not told of these disclosures for the sake of her humility, but the sisterhood prayed that the Lord's will would be done, and then sought the [[patriarch]]'s advice. Patriarch [[Methodios the Confessor]] was a leader of great courage, and, through the iconoclasts, had the [[stigmata]] of Christ, and also had the gift of foresight. When the [[patriarch ]] asked who should be the superior, they responded that the patriarch should decide, guided by the Holy Spirit. Patriarch Methodios asked if there was a humble nun named Irene; and if so, that she was the choice pleasing in the sight of God. The sisterhood was filled with such joy at the workings of the Holy Spirit that Methodios rose and offered [[incense]] as thanks to the Lord, and [[ordination|ordained]] Irene [[deaconess]]. After advising her in the ways of administering and guiding the sisterhood, the patriarch clothed her as abbess and gave the sisterhood his blessing as farewell.
==Abbess of Chrysovalantou==
===The Magician's Wiles===
A young and beautiful girl came to the monastery of Chrysovalantou and became a novice. To fight this, the evil one incited her ex-fiancé such that he sought the help of a magician in Cappadocia. The magician's spells made the novice lose her mind and threaten to drown herself. Irene lamented her neglect and received the power to defy the evil one in this struggle. Gathering her community together, she explained the situation and ordered a week-long period of [[fast]]ing, daily 100 prostrations, and the continual prayer for an understanding of God's will. On the third night, St. [[Basil the Great|Basil]] appeared to Irene, advising her to take the novice to the convent of [[Panagia Blachernitissa|Vlachernae]], where the Mother of God would heal her. Taking two senior nuns with her, on arrival they fell asleep during their first [[All-Night Vigil|all-night [[vigil]] from exhaustion.
Irene's vision continued while she slept: a pilgrim procession appeared in white and golden robes, shining with a strange and unearthly light, scattering flowers and incense on the path. Irene asked their purpose, to be told that the Mother of God was coming. The Mother of God arrived at that moment, surrounded by hosts of angels, so radiant that none could look upon her; she visited the sick, then came to Irene, who prostrated in fear. While prostrate, Irene heard the Mother of God tell St. [[Basil the Great|Basil of Caesarea]] to cure the young girl from Caesarea, saying, "My Son and God has given you this power." Irene then awoke with the message, "Return to your convent and within three days your novice will be healed." She disclosed her vision to her companions and they departed with joy, arriving in time for Friday's [[Vespers]].
