Euphrosyne of Polotsk
Euphrosyne of Polotsk (* probably in 1110 in Polotsk, † 1173 in Jerusalem) is the patron saint of the Belarusians.
Euphrosyne was a prominent figure within a Christian, cultural -enlightenment movement in the former Principality of Polotsk, worked as a translator and promoted art and culture. In the area of present-day Belarus them at that time was the first woman to be recognized as a saint.
Euphrosyne was the daughter of Prince Georgi Polazker Usjaslawitsch and was actually called Pradslawa (Russian: Predslawa ). When it was ( against the will of their parents) nun, she took the name Euphrosyne. As a young nun, she was especially busy to copy religious works from the collections belonging to the Polazker Sophia Cathedral Library, primarily translations from the Greek.
Later she founded nuns and monasteries in Polotsk and led in 1160 to build the church of the Holy Savior ( weißruss.: царква святога Спаса ), where she also had her own cell and that today bears her name: Euphrosyne Saviour Church ( weißruss. Спаса - Ефрасіннеўская царква ). This church was richly decorated with culturally and historically valuable murals. On behalf of Euphrosyne of Polazker Master Lasar Bohscha made in 1161 on an altar cross for the Church of the Redeemer. This made of cypress wood, studded with exquisite precious stones and provided with representations of the Evangelists, but also the Euphrosynes artwork has since been regarded as the most valuable national relic of Belarusians. It disappeared during the Second World War and until today, despite extensive efforts, even from official sources, not resurfaced.
Towards the end of their life Euphrosyne went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where she also died. Their remains were brought to Kiev in 1187 and buried there in the famous cave monastery. Beginning of the 20th century they were reburied: Since they lie in Polotsk.
A detailed description of the life of the Holy Euphrosyne of Polotsk is found in the book " Жыціе Ефрасінні Полацкай " (Russian: " Житие Ефросиньи Полоцкой " dt, "Life of Euphrosyne of Polotsk "). This text, which was probably written after her death soon, the oldest existing copy, however, dates from the 14th century, is one of the most important early orthodox testimonies in the area of Belarus, which not only portrays the lives of the Saints Euphrosyne, but also evidence of the high intellectual culture in the former Principality of Polotsk is. This text embodies the ideals of Euphrosyne of Polotsk: the importance of knowing the love of books, the spiritual and religious perfection of man and the disinterested service of high moral ideals.