Eustolia of Constantinople

Holy Venerable Eustolia of Constantinople was a native of Rome. Coming to Constantinople, she entered one of the women's monasteries. By a pure and strict monastic life she won the love and honour of the sisters. Not only nuns but also many lay people came to her for counsel and comfort.

Saint Sosipatra, daughter of the Emperor Maurice (582 to 602), inclined to the monastic life, met the Venerable Eustolia at Blachernae, in the church of the Mother of God. After her conversation with the saint, the princess finally resolved to leave the world and to surrender her whole will to her teacher, the Venerable Eustolia. In the palace that the pious emperor gave to his daughter, a monastery gradually arose, known for the strictness of its monastic rule.

Saint Eustolia reposed in the year 610, and Saint Sosipatra in the year 625. Eustolia is commemorated on 22 November (new style). Their story is also found in the Lives of the Saints by Saint Demetrius of Rostov.