“The Holy Monastery of St. Matrona was built by the noble Roidis in 1470 near the village of Mesa Didima.” Does this intrigue you? Today we explore the story of Agia Matrona.
Agia Matrona is a beacon. She is a beacon of faith and resilience. Agia Matrona’s story is really inspiring.
Saint Matrona of Chios was born in the 15th century. She was born in Volissos on the island of Chios Greece. This is the same village where St. Markella was martyred in 1462. The Church celebrates her memory on October 20. It also celebrates the finding of her head on July 15.
Leon and Anna were Matrona’s parents. They were respected and well-to-do Christians. Mary was the youngest of seven children. From her youth she showed an interest in monasticism. When the time came for her parents to arrange her marriage she refused. She wanted to remain a virgin. To avoid this marriage she left Volissos. She went to an area overlooking the village called Katavasis. There was a women’s monastery there. Her parents searched everywhere to find her. After locating her they convinced her to return home. Mary complied with her parents’ wishes. She refused to wed. Her parents saw that she still desired to lead a monastic life. They gave her their consent to pursue her ambition.
When Mary’s parents died she gave much of her inheritance to the poor. She spent the rest building a monastery in the Palaiókastro quarter of the town of Chios. At this point Mary’s name was changed to Matrona.
Matrona surpassed the other nuns in her devotion spirituality and understanding. Her sincerity convinced other girls to come to this monastery. They wanted to lead the same type of life. The church itself was small. The abbess agreed with Matrona’s plan to enlarge it. She also agreed to build cells for the nuns. Matrona sold any remaining farmland and personal belongings. The monastery built a public bath with the money received from this sale. The poor and wayfarers could bathe there. These baths were very common at this time. After this the renovation of the church began. The church was completed with the help of St. Artemios to whom it was dedicated. The abbess of the monastery died. The nuns then elected Matrona as the new abbess. Matrona was revered throughout Chios for her virtuous life and holiness. She showed charity to the poor. She was able to heal the sick.
After these events St. Matrona dreamt of her own death. She suffered from an illness for seven days. In those seven days she advised the other nuns. She advised them as a mother would advise her children. She died sometime before 1455. She was buried in the monastery’s church. She had spent the greater part of her life there. Miracles are said to have occurred after her death to honor this great saint. Many people with all manner of afflictions came to the church. They were cured.
In the village of Katavasis there was a church built to honor the place where St. Matrona had first started her spiritual struggles. Later a larger church was built. The smaller one was used as a cemetery chapel.
The Holy Monastery of St. Matrona was built by the noble Roidis in 1470. It was built near the village of Mesa Didima. He originally intended to build a summer villa. St. Matrona appeared to him in a dream. She instructed him to build the monastery instead. His sisters were the first two nuns to enter the monastery. The abbot of the monastery during the Turkish Occupation was the Holy Nikephoros of Chios. Nikiforos wrote the 24 Hymns of Agia Matrona. Today four nuns dwell in the monastery. The monastery celebrates the saint’s feast day on October 20 each year.
Agia Matrona is more than just a historical figure. She is a symbol of devotion. She is a symbol of charity. She is a symbol of healing. May her story inspire us all to live lives of virtue and compassion.