Matrona of Perge

Matrona of Perge (Matrona of Constantinople) was a Byzantine saint, known because, desiring the monastic life, she disguised herself as a man and took the name Babylas to escape her husband. She was born at Perge about 424, pious and charitable, and married Domitian, with whom she had a daughter, Theodote. She persuaded her husband to move to Constantinople, where she visited the churches. When she attended night vigils, the jealous husband accused her of unchastity. Wishing to lead an ascetic life, she left home, stayed with an acquaintance, Susanna, to whom she entrusted her daughter, and, afraid of her husband, cut her hair, dressed in men's clothes and presented herself at the monastery of Saint Bassianus as a eunuch named Babylas. The brothers received her and she worked in the garden.

After about three years Bassianus noticed the ruse, and Matrona returned for a while to Susanna. As her husband kept searching, Bassianus suggested a women's monastery in Emesa, where she became abbess and grew famous for the gift of healing. Her husband found her and followed her to Jerusalem, Syria and Beirut, where she lived as an ascetic in an abandoned pagan temple. When Bassianus learned of this, he decided to found a small monastery for Matrona and others, not far from his own. Her nuns were granted the unique privilege of wearing wide black leather belts and white men's mantles. She is known for opposing the Monophysite policy of the emperor Anastasius I. According to her life, she died at the age of a hundred, around 524. The life, from the 6th century, is regarded by some scholars as of dubious value. Commemorated on 9 November in the Orthodox Church.