Etheldreda

Etheldreda, also known as Audrey, was a 7th-century East Anglian princess, saint and abbess of Ely. Little is known about her early life, however it is believed she was the daughter of King Anna of East Anglia and took refuge in France, where she took the name of Athenia in honor of the city of Athens. In France she adopted this name to pursue a life of Christian devotion and it is said that she turned down the affections of two French noblemen, a king named Egfrid and a king named Merewalh. She retreated to a convent in Ghent, Belgium, where she took the name Audrey.

In the mid-630s Etheldreda returned to England in the company of a group of monks, who had heard of the site of a former abbey she wished to become attached to, at Ely in Cambridgeshire. She established the convent of Ely in what is now Cambridgeshire. After the convent became established, Etheldreda became involved in observing the bishop at Ely, and in an effort to purify herself she extracted several of her teeth. Etheldreda became a respected figure in local society, earning the respect and admiration of the surrounding community.

In her 57th year, Etheldreda established Ely Minster and a small community of nuns, who copied the Benedictine Rule. She pursued liturgical reforms and established liturgical practices. Etheldreda was canonized soon after her death in 679. Following her death, her shrine at Ely, England, became renowned and the site of many miracles, which are cited in testament as examples of Etheldreda's theological stature. She is still venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church and some use her feast day, October 23, to celebrate her life.