June 8
Saint Syra of Troyes
Virgin
(Unknown – 7th Century)
“Oh! vile, despicable and infected is earth to me, when I look upon Heaven Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to serve God, and to love Him only!”
Saint Syra of Troyes
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Saint’s Life Story
Her Life
Few details are known of Syra’s exact birth date and her youth. She is thought to be born in Ireland. Syra is said to have been Saint Fiacre‘s sister. If so, she was of a distinguished family. Another account has it, that she was daughter to Eugene IV and of the royal family of Scotland. Her father took great care to have her brought up virtuously and imbued with sentiments of Christian piety. From a very tender age, Syra manifested the results of such training.
Blinded
It is stated, that Saint Conon, Bishop of Lodore, was selected to be her teacher combining knowledge and prudence with piety. From her earliest years, Syra conceived an ardent love for our Lord Jesus Christ, and she passed several hours on her knees, in fervent prayer. She therefore resolved to have no other spouse but Him alone, and she rejected those offers of marriage, preferred by many highly distinguished suitors. The Legend of her Acts declares, that to resist their solicitations, she obtained through prayer the favor of becoming blind. Then, she had some internal revelation, that in France, her sight would be restored.
Left Ireland and Followed Her Brother to France
Syra was resolved to imitate her brother’s example, by leaving her friends and native country. Owing to this detachment from the fondest earthly ties, she hoped the better to arrive at Christian perfection. Syra selected some female companions to accompany her. Then, she left her native country. Syra resolved on seeking her brother in France. Aided by her guardian Angel, she succeeded in finding the place of his retreat.
Holy Well
Syra addressed herself to Saint Faro, Bishop of Meaux, patron and protector of her brother. He had established various religious ‘houses in his diocese, during the somewhat extended period of his episcopacy. The holy prelate recommended her to his sister, Saint Burgundofara, who was Abbess in Brie.
Vision Recovered
Syra became a perfect pattern of humility, charity, meekness and devotion. At Troyes, France, the holy Martyr Saint Savinien had been held in great veneration. But hostile incursions had caused such disorders and ravages in the place, that the exact site of his tomb was then unknown. Through his merits, Saint Fiacre had an inspiration, that his sister should recover her sight. In a like manner, Syra was revealed the spot where the body of St. Savinien lay. There, prostrating herself, Syra poured forth her soul in prayer and her face bedewed with tears, she would not rise from the ground until her petition was heard. Syra was restored miraculously to the use of vision.
A Cell and Chapel Built
Then, to manifest her gratitude to the holy Martyr, Syra formed a resolution of there fixing her abode. So, she had a cell and a chapel to be built, so that her gratitude should remain lasting and tangible. There, as a hermitess, Syra spent whole days and nights in prayer. Some of those virgins, who accompanied her, shared in her pious exercises. From this place, Syra occasionally visited Chalons. Here, she withdrew often to the pious virgins of the community of Sainte-Pome. She communicated to them that Divine fire of love, with which her heart was filled.
The reputation of Syra’s great sanctity soon spread through all the surrounding country. A request was made to her to quit her cell to visit a community of women, which had relaxed religious fervor, in order that again she might restore it. Through humility, not conceiving herself called to become a religious reformer, and doubting her powers of persuasion, Syra hesitated for a long time. However, to promote God’s greater glory in the salvation of souls, Syra accepted the mission. Zealously, she laboured to effect the desired change. Syra succeeded in an admirable manner.
Having thus restored order in that community, Syra returned to her little cell, near the tomb of St. Savinien. There, she buried herself in exercises of penitence to the end of her days.
Her Death
The Almighty, willing to crown Syra, soon called her away from this life. Syra departed on the 8th of June, sometime in the seventh century in Troyes, France. Her body was buried, according to one statement, in the small chapel Syra had built, near the tomb of Saint Savinien. It was deposited within a stone coffin. Another account has it, that Syra departed this life at or near Meaux, where her spiritual fathers, Saint Fiacre and Saint Faro, lived.
Born: Unknown in Ireland
Died: 7th Century in Troyes, France
Beatified: Pre-Congregation
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Feast Day: June 8
Patron Saint: None
Reflection
Saint Syra of Troyes prayed to be blind to resist her suitors’ solicitations. Her prayers were answered. She had a revelation that in France her vision would return. Imitating her brother, she left everything to be only Christ’s “spouse” in France. After she succeeded in finding her brother’s retreat in France, Saint Syra poured forth her soul in prayer. She would not rise from the ground until her petition was heard. Then, Saint Syra’s vision was miraculously restored.
Her witness reminds us that holiness is often started in the hidden places of daily fidelity, such as through prayer, trust, and steadfast love for God. Her life encourages us to believe that even the unseen acts of faith are precious in the eyes of the Lord.
Saint Syra’s example speaks to the strength found in a heart surrendered to trust in Jesus. Whether through kindness, prayer or endurance in difficulty, each small offering can become a path to holiness. God often works most powerfully through humble souls.
What do you need to be “blinded from” to serve Christ? What do you need your eyes to be “opened to” to serve Christ? Like Saint Syra, all things are possible with persistent prayer.
Prayers
Saint Syra of Troyes,
You prayed to be blinded to hold off suitors so you could be a spouse only for Christ. After following your brother to France, you prayed and got your vision restored.
May you intercede for us to help us “open our eyes” to ways we can serve God.
Help us to embrace humility, trust, and quiet perseverance in our walk with Christ.
May we use your example to continue our unwavering daily prayers to have the grace, wisdom, and strength today to do God’s will.
Saint Syra of Troyes, pray for us. Amen.
Saint Links
Bartleby.com – Rev. Alban Butler Volume VI: June. The Lives of the Saints. 1866. June 8 St. Syra, Virgin, of Ireland
CatholicSaints.Info – Saints of the Day – Syra (Syria) of Troyes, Virgin – by Katherine I Rabenstein
Celtic and Old English Saints – St. Syra of Troyes, Virgin (Syria)
Lives of the Irish Saints : with special festivals, and the commemorations of holy persons
by O’Hanlon, John
Saint for a Minute – Saint Syra of Troyes