St. Euphrosynos the Cook Icon 3x3.75

Saint Euphrosynos (or Euphrosynus) was born into a humble family in Alexandria in the ninth century. Desiring an anonymous monastic life, he entered a certain monastery in Palestine. His obedience was to cook for the brethren, and while doing so, he prayed constantly. He increased in holiness and virtue, but concealed this from his fellow monks.

On one occasion, a priest of the monastery asked the Lord to reveal the future Paradise to him. And so, in a dream, he saw the beauty and joy promised to the righteous. He also saw the cook Euphrosynos there. Amazed, he asked him how this could be. The cook explained that through the mercy of God, he was always in Paradise. He gave the priest three apples from the garden, and the priest awoke. Thinking it was all a dream, he was startled to find the three apples beside him.

He found Euphrosynos and asked him where he had been, and he said, "The same place you have been." The priest went to tell the brethren everything that had happened. Wanting to pay tribute to the cook, they went to the kitchen, but Euphrosynos had gone. He concealed himself in the wilderness and was never seen again. The brethren kept him in remembrance, knowing that he already dwelt in Paradise.

Saint Euphrosynos's feast is celebrated on September 11.