Saint Isidora

Saint Isidora or Isidore (Saint Isidora the Simple or Saint Isidora of Tabenna) was a Christian nun and saint of the 4th century AD. She is considered among the earliest fools for Christ. The Feast day of Isidora is celebrated by both the Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church on May 1 and may also be on May 10.^[1]

Isidora lived in the Egyptian convent of Tabennisi.^[2] She veiled her head with an old dishrag and some time was treated with contempt by other nuns. One day, the hermit Saint Pitirim visited the convent after the vision of an angel, who had told him to "find an elect vessel full of the grace of God"... "by the crown that shines above her head".^[2]

The crown was reportedly seen above Saint Isidora. After that everyone in the monastery fell to the feet of Pitirim, confessing in repentance their disrespectful attitude to Isidora, who had suffered all insults and even beatings humbly, pretending to be mad.^[3]

Several days later Isidora, who could not bear the honors and apologies, secretly left the convent to spend the rest of her days in a desert hermitage. The following period of her life remained unknown. It is said that Isidora died no later than the year 365 AD.

References

1. (Greek) Ἡ Ὁσία Ἰσιδώρα ἡ διὰ Χριστὸν Σαλή. 1 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
2. Isadora of Egypt V (AC), Saint of the day, Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Washington, D.C.
3. Abba Pitirim and blessed Isidora, Selected Stories from "Lavsaik" and "Spiritual Meadow", by Bishop Mileant