Saint
Ethelburga
Ethelburga, Abbess of Barking
New Calendar October 11 Old Calendar October 24
Why they are a saint
Saint Ethelburga (Aethelburh) was born into the royal family of East Anglia in the seventh century. She was the sister of Saint Erconwald (May 13), who founded the monastery of Barking (Berecingum) in Essex. Saint Ethelburga became the first abbess of this monastery. Venerated as a monastic saint, honored for a life of prayer and asceticism.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Ethelburga as a patron when they bear the name Ethelburga at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on October 11. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy Ethelburga, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.