St. Erkengota, Virgin of Faremoutier-en-Brie

Commemorated on February 21 (also on February 26)

St. Erkengota was a daughter of Erconbert, King of Kent, England, and his wife Sexburga, later Abbess of Ely.

She became a nun with her aunts Ethelburga of Faremoutier and Saethrith in the double monastery of Faremoutier-en-Brie. Unlike them, she never became abbess, but died comparatively young. She visited the aged nuns to say farewell and ask for their prayers.

At the moment of her death, angelic visitors arrived in the monastery. She was buried in the church of St. Stephen nearby. The balsam-like scent from her grave three days later was believed to attest to her sanctity.

At Faremoutier and Ely, her feast is celebrated on February 21, while the diocese of Meaux celebrates it on February 26.

By permission of the Orthodox Church in America (www.oca.org)