Saint Ipomoni, known as Eleni Dragasi, came from a royal and blessed family since her father was the Serbian King Stefan Dušan. She married Byzantine emperor Manuel II Palaiologos (1350-1425).
From a young age, she received a great education. Although she came from a Serbian family, she felt more identified with the culture, especially with the national consciousness of the Byzantine Empire.
Most importantly, her family raised her in the Orthodox faith, which guided her and gave her strength in her turbulent life.
She was about 19 years old when she married Manuel II Palaiologos. Since then she had to endure the humiliation of the allies of the West in her and her husband’s attempt to save the dying Byzantine Empire.
During the 35-year marriage, they had eight children, one of whom, Constantine XI, was the last emperor of the Byzantine Empire (1448 – May 29, 1453).
After the death of her husband in 1425, she became a nun at the Monastery of Kyra Martha. In fact, many members of her family became monks and devoted their lives to God.
Saint Ipomoni loved the monasteries, which is why she and her father built the Monastery in Poganovo, municipality of Dimitrovgrad, Serbia.
Venerable Ipomoni reposed in the Lord on March 13, 1450. Her skull, as a holy relic, is treasured in the Monastery of Saint Patapios in Loutraki, Greece.
Source: Church of Cyprus
