Venerable Matrona of Chios

Commemorated on October 20.

Saint Matrona was born in the village of Volissos on Chios of wealthy and pious parents, Leon and Anna sometime in the fourteenth century. From her youth she showed an inclination for monasticism. One day she left her parents and went to live in an unpopulated area, where she founded a small monastery for women. Soon other nuns joined her in her ascetical struggles.

Saint Matrona worked many miracles both during her life and after her death, and was revered throughout Chios for her virtuous life and holiness. She showed charity to the poor, and was able to heal the sick.

The service to Saint Matrona was composed by Metropolitan Nikḗtas of Rhodes. It was found in a codex from 1455, which would indicate that she died sometime before this date.

Saint Matrona is also commemorated on July 15 (the finding of her head).

Troparion

(Podoben: “Awed by the beauty of your virginity...”)
Following in the footsteps of Christ, you forsook the pleasures of the world, O venerable one,
and in the flesh you imitated the life of the angels.
Therefore, you have filled Chios, your native isle, with joy,
and with the gifts bestowed by the Spirit, O all-praised maiden.
Therefore, we cry out to you with joy: “Rejoice, most blessed Matrona.”