Alexandria, August 7, 2026
Photo: Romfea
Two young Egyptian women have taken monastic vows and a historic church in Alexandria has been declared a new convent, in a service led by Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa.
The tonsures took place at the Patriarchal Church of St. Nicholas in Ibrahimiya, Alexandria, during the Great Patriarchal Vespers on the eve of the Feast of the Transfiguration, August 5. Metropolitan Germanos of Tamiathis and Bishop Damaskinos of Mareotis, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria, joined Patriarch Theodore for the service, which drew a large congregation, reports Romfea.
After the litiya and the blessing of the grapes, the two women were tonsured and given their monastic names: Ksenia and Matrona.
The first took the name Ksenia, in honor of St. Ksenia and also in memory of the late Eldress Ksenia of Aegina, who was the first abbess of Holy Trinity Monastery on Aegina, founded by St. Nektarios. Eldress Ksenia had lost her physical sight but was known as one of St. Nektarios’ earliest and most devoted spiritual daughters, remembered for her humility and obedience.
The second took the name Matrona, after St. Matrona the Blind of Russia, who despite being born blind was said to have received the gift of spiritual insight, constant prayer and the working of miracles.
In a further announcement during the service, Patriarch Theodore declared the Patriarchal Church of St. Nicholas a convent, marking the start of a new monastic sisterhood under the Alexandrian throne.
Addressing the two new nuns, the Patriarch said that from that moment on they belonged entirely to Christ and His Church. He urged them to hold on to obedience, humility, unceasing prayer and selfless love as their most valuable treasure, so their lives would stand as a living witness of the Gospel and a source of comfort to all who come to the monastery.
He also spoke about the role he hopes the new monastery will play in caring for the sick. One of the two nuns is a dentist, and the Patriarch said he’d like to see a model health center built on the monastery grounds — describing it as his wish for the monastery to become a true “clinic for souls and bodies,” where prayer and practical charity go hand in hand.
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