St. Irene Chrysovolantou
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St. Irene was born to a noble family in the 9th century. She was chosen as the bride of Michael, son of the Byzantine Empress. On her way to marry, she met St. Ioannikos who prophesied that she would enter the Chrysovolantou Convent. She arrived to find that Michael had married another woman the day before. She gave away everything she had and entered the Chrysovolantou Convent. She became known for her clairvoyance, strict asceticism, miracles, and even for levitation. When the Abbess was dying, she told the sisters that they should obey St. Irene. The Partiarch, unaware of the Abbess' wish, asked if there was a nun named Irene at the convent. He made confirmed that she should be the new Abbess. In this icon, St. Irene is depicted holding three apples. A mysterious man, walking on the water, had given the apples to a sailor, telling him to give them to her as a gift from the Servant of God John. The sailor delivered the apples. She ate the first one over the next forty days as her only food. The second one she shared with all of the sisters. The last apple she ate just before her repose. The seeds were planted and the orchard that grew from the seeds is still there at the convent.
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