- Remembrance Day: January 18 and January 24
- Name means: X: the stranger (Greek) E: the God-fearing (Greek)
- Virgin, Deacon
- Born in Rome
- Died 450 in Mylasa, today Milas, Turkey
Eusebia, also known as Xenia, hailed from a distinguished lineage. On the scheduled day of her wedding, she made a daring escape in men’s attire alongside her two slaves. Their journey took them initially to Alexandria and then to the island of Kos, where Eusebia assumed the name Xena.
While on Kos, she encountered the monk Paul from St. Andrew’s Monastery in present-day Milas. Under his guidance, Xena eventually arrived in Mylasa. Paul, now the bishop of the city, ordained her as a virgin and a deacon. In Mylasa, Eusebia erected a church in honor of Saint Stephen and established a monastery. There, she led a life of rigorous asceticism alongside her two slaves and other dedicated virgins. She extended her support to the destitute, offered solace to the afflicted, and guided sinners towards repentance.
Following Xena’s demise during a prayer, a celestial wreath of stars illuminated the sky above her monastery, encircling a radiant cross. This celestial sign accompanied her remains during the funeral procession, appearing in the midday sky, and persisted until the conclusion of the funeral rites. One of her slaves revealed her true lineage, divulging that the departed Xena was originally named Eusebia by her parents. Numerous afflicted individuals experienced healing upon contact with her relics.
