Cloud of Witnesses
Venerable (Monastic)5th century

Saint Eustochium

c. 368 – c. 419/420

Also known as Eustochium · Julia Eustochium

Daughter of St. Paula and consecrated virgin from her youth, to whom St. Jerome addressed his great letter on virginity; she followed her mother to Bethlehem and succeeded her as abbess of the convent there.

September 28New Calendar
Feast Day
October 11Old Calendar
Suggest a correctionContribute
Hymn / ApolytikionTroparia & apolytikia to read and chantIcon galleryBrowse icons and imagery elsewhere
Commemorated as

Our Venerable Mother Eustochium of Bethlehem

Life

Eustochium (full name Eustochium Julia) was a Roman consecrated virgin of the fourth and early fifth centuries, born about 368 in Rome to the senator Toxotius and Saint Paula. Her family claimed descent from the Julian clan, though modern genealogists dispute this. She had three sisters — Blaesilla, Paulina, and Rufina — and one brother, Toxotius.

When Saint Jerome arrived in Rome from Palestine in 382, Eustochium and her mother placed themselves under his spiritual and educational direction. Around 384 she made a vow of perpetual virginity, and on that occasion Jerome addressed to her his celebrated letter on the guarding of virginity (De custodia virginitatis, Epistle 22).

In 386 she accompanied Jerome and Paula to Egypt, visiting the hermits of the Nitrian Desert, and then settled permanently with them at Bethlehem. There she and Paula founded four monasteries and a hospice near the birthplace of Christ, and after her mother's death in 404 Eustochium succeeded her in directing the community of virgins. She died about 419 or 420 and was succeeded by her niece, Paula the Younger.

Timeline8 momentsReadHide
  1. c. 368Birth in RomeEustochium Julia is born in Rome to the senator Toxotius and Saint Paula, into a family that claimed descent from the Julian clan.
  2. 382Under Jerome's directionWhen Jerome arrives in Rome from Palestine, Eustochium and Paula place themselves under his spiritual and educational guidance.
  3. c. 384Vow of virginity and Epistle 22Eustochium makes a vow of perpetual virginity, despite the attempts of her uncle Hymettius and his wife to dissuade her; Jerome addresses to her his celebrated letter on guarding virginity (Epistle 22).
  4. 386Journey to Egypt and BethlehemShe accompanies Jerome and Paula to Egypt to study the hermits of the Nitrian Desert, then settles permanently at Bethlehem.
  5. 386–389Foundation of the monasteriesPaula and Eustochium erect four monasteries and a hospice near the place of Christ's birth — one for monks under Jerome, three for the women — sharing a single oratory.
  6. 404Succeeds her motherAfter Paula's death, Eustochium assumes direction of the three convents despite their impoverished state, the result of Paula's lavish almsgiving.
  7. 417Attack on BethlehemA crowd attacks and pillages the monasteries, burning one and killing and maltreating some residents; Jerome and Eustochium inform Pope Innocent I, who reproves the patriarch.
  8. c. 419/420ReposeEustochium dies and is succeeded in the supervision of the convents by her niece, Paula the Younger.

Contributions & Legacy

4 contributionsReadHide

Learning and Scholarship

Eustochium was among the most learned of Jerome's circle. She spoke Latin and Classical Greek with equal ease and could read the scriptures in Hebrew, and at Bethlehem she devoted much of her time to the study of scripture under Jerome's guidance.

Jerome testified that both she and Paula performed the most menial services of the community even as they pursued this learning. He dedicated his commentaries on the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel to her and composed numerous letters for her instruction.

Community at Bethlehem

Near the site of Christ's birth, Paula and Eustochium built four monasteries and a hospice between 386 and 389. One monastery housed monks under Jerome's direction; the other three sheltered Paula, Eustochium, and the virgins who gathered around them, all worshipping in one shared oratory.

On her mother's death in 404 Eustochium took over the direction of the three women's convents. Paula's generous almsgiving had left the community in financial difficulty, but Eustochium continued its work with Jerome's encouragement and advice.

The Attack of 417

In 417 a crowd of ruffians attacked and pillaged the monasteries of Bethlehem, destroying one by fire and killing and maltreating some of the residents. The assault was alleged to have been instigated by Patriarch John II of Jerusalem and by the Pelagians, against whose teaching Jerome had written sharp polemics.

Jerome and Eustochium reported the outrage by letter to Pope Innocent I, who severely reproved the patriarch.

Veneration

Eustochium is venerated by the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Catholic Churches, and the Anglican Communion, with her feast kept on 28 September. She is sometimes numbered among the early Desert Mothers.

In 2022 she was officially added to the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church on 28 September, commemorated alongside her mother, Paula.

Family1 relativeShowHide
Her mother, with whom she founded the monasteries at Bethlehem.
Paulaof Rome
Companions1 figureShowHide
Under whose direction she pursued the ascetic life at Bethlehem.
Saint Jeromeof Stridon
Related SaintsShowHide

Browse other saints who share her calling and place.

More Western Europe317More Byzantine Saints1282More Monastics1353
Sources: OrthodoxWiki; Wikipedia (Eustochium)