Saints Disguised

Many women by God's prompting turned to a holy life. However, circumstances of their lives often called for certain measures. This can be seen in the lives of several women Saints, who sometimes left for male Monasteries* for varying reasons, but above all, to leave behind the wreck of sin they found themselves in and to head for the Kingdom on the road of Repentance. *It should probably be noted: what they've done is not to be mistaken for cross-dressing, as the motive is not the same. (Though there are few differences between male and female monastic garb anyway)

Others adopted holy Foolishness (feigned insanity) to escape the praise of the world, for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

Saints (who were mistaken for men/eunuchs or Monks): 
  1. Anastasia the Patrician of Alexandria 
  2. Anna of Constantinople, with her son 
  3. Apollinaria, Virgin-Martyr of Egypt
  4. Athanasia of Egypt, with her husband 
  5. Eugenia, Nun-Martyr of Rome (her two servants are also Saints: Protus and Hyacinthus)
  6. Euphrosynia the nun 
  7. Glaphyra, Virgin Martyr 
  8. Mary of Alexandria, with her father
  9. Matrona of Perge, Abbess of Constantinople (a detailed account of her life) 
  10. Pelagia the Penitent 
  11. Theodora of Alexandria 
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Additional:
Though she has not been glorified, Theodora of Vasta is venerated as a possible saint.


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