Mary of Constantinople

Holy Venerable Mary of Constantinople was the wife of the Venerable Xenophon and the mother of the Venerable Arcadius and John, a family of notable citizens of Constantinople, who lived in the fifth century. Despite wealth and noble birth, they were distinguished by simplicity of soul and goodness.

Wishing to give their sons, John and Arcadius, a fuller education, they sent them to Beirut in Phoenicia. By the providence of God, the ship on which the two brothers set out was wrecked, and the waves cast them ashore in different places. Grieved at the separation, the brothers devoted themselves to God and entered monastic life. The parents received no news of their children for a long time and thought them lost. But Xenophon, already old, kept a firm hope in the Lord, consoled his wife, Mary, advising her not to lament and to believe that the Lord would keep their children. After some years the couple made a pilgrimage to the holy places and in Jerusalem met their sons, who were struggling in different monasteries. Rejoicing, they thanked the Lord who by providence had reunited the whole family. The rest of their life Xenophon and Mary devoted to God, receiving monasticism. Arcadius and John, taking leave of their parents, went into the desert, where after long labours they became known for the gift of working miracles and of foresight. The old Xenophon and Mary, struggling in silence and strict fasting, also received from God the gift of working miracles.

The family is commemorated on 8 February, in the new style, which is 26 January in the old style.