St. Irene Chrysovalantou

Irene was a noble girl from Cappadocia who came to Constantinople as a bride-to-be for the emperor, but on the way an elder foretold she would become a nun. She joined the convent of Chrysovalantou and became its abbess. She was known for all-night prayer, and once a sailor brought her three apples that, he said, St. John the Evangelist had given him from Paradise. She is prayed to by women hoping for children.

• Feast: July 28 (New Calendar)
• Lived: 9th century
• Place: Constantinople