Holy Great Princess Evdokia was born in 1353 in the family of Prince Dimitri Konstantinovich of Suzdal and Princess Anna. Since childhood, she was raised in the spirit of Christian piety, distinguished by her mole, inner firmness and deep reliance on God. In 1366, Eudokia became the wife of the blagoverny Grand Duke of Moscow Demetrius of Don. Their marriage had not only family significance, but also state significance: it strengthened the union between the Moscow and Suzdal principalities.
The life of the princely four was held under the spiritual influence of the great ascetics of Russia. Evdokia and Demetrius were associated with St. Sergius of Radonezh, St. Alexy of Moscow, and the disciples of the Trinity Abbot. St. Sergius was the godfather of two or more children. In total, the princely four had eight children — five sons and three daughters.
The Ministry of Princess Evdokia was inseparable from the fate of Russia. In 1380, when Prince Demetrius opposed Mamai and ended the campaign with victory on Kulikov field, Evdokia supported her spouse with a fervent prayer. In memory of the victory, she built the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Moscow Kremlin, since it was on this holiday that the Battle of Kulikovo took place. The church was painted by prominent icon painters Theophanes the Greek and Simeon the Black.
After the death of Demetrius of Don in 1389, Princess Evdokia devoted herself to the upbringing of children, works of charity, temple building and inner spiritual feats. She began the construction of The Ascension women's monastery in the Moscow Kremlin, gave princely halls under it, and also built churches and monasteries in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. At the same time, her ascetic life remained a secret for a long time: appearing before people in princely vestments, she hid strict fasting, prayerful wakefulness and wearing chains.
The name of Saint Eudokia is also associated with the transfer of the Vladimir icon of Mother of God to Moscow during the invasion of Tamerlane in 1395. According to church tradition, on the day of Ilona's meeting in Moscow, the Conqueror had a terrible vision of a light-bearing wife, after which he left the city.
In 1407, after the appearance of the Archangel Michael, who predicted her imminent death, Princess Evdokia left the Grand Ducal tower and accepted monasticism with the name Euphrosyne. During the transition to The Ascension monastery, by faith, healing was performed: the blind man saw through, wiped his eyes with the edge of her clothes, and many other people received help for various ailments. Venerable Euphrosyne lived only a few months in her homeland and left peacefully for the Lord on July 7, 1407.
The relics of the Saint were buried in the ascension monastery founded by them. For centuries, miraculous signs and healing have been performed in her tomb. The feat of St. Euphrosyne of Moscow testifies that neither high position, nor wealth, nor family duties prevent a person from following the path of holiness, if all life is turned to God.
The memory of St. Euphrosyne is celebrated on May 17/30 and July 7/20.