work > The Folk Saints Index

St. Matrona of Perge, born around 430 in Perge, Byzantine Asia Minor, is a revered figure known for their remarkable acts of devotion & resistance. Married to Domitianus, they sought to live an ascetic life, inspired by the scriptural call to live as though unmarried. To escape their husband’s suspicion & to pursue their spiritual calling, Matrona cross-dressed as a male monk named Babylos and joined the monastery of St. Bassionus. Their true identity was eventually discovered, but they continued her path of asceticism, becoming abbess of a convent in Emesa & gaining renown for their miraculous healing abilities.