Saint Cleopatra

Who is Saint Cleopatra?

Saint Cleopatra was a Christian Saint of the Coptic Orthodox Church and Orthodox Christianity who lived between the 3rd century and 4th century.

Cleopatra originally came from a village called Edra near Mount Tabor. Mount Tabor is located in Lower Galilee, at the eastern end of the Jezreel Valley, 17 kilometres west of the Sea of Galilee, Palestine.

Cleopatra was a contemporary to the holy Martyr Saint Varus. She had witnessed the suffering and execution of Saint Varus. After Varus’ execution Cleopatra had taken Varus’ remains to her home in Daraa, Syria. When Cleopatra returned she had buried Varus’ remains with reverence.

At this time Cleopatra was widowed and had a son, her only child, John. In 319 John, had attained the officer rank of Centurion. To her great sorrow, suddenly her son died. Cleopatra in grief turned to the relics of Saint Varus, begging the saint to return her son.

Cleopatra dreamt that Varus and John appeared to her as radiant in bright attire with crowns upon their heads. She then realised that the Lord had received John into the Heavenly Kingdom and was comforted.

After Cleopatra had her blessed dream, she moved to live by a church. This church that Cleopatra built was over the relics of Saint Varus and her son. The relics of Saint Varus and her son have performed many miracles. Cleopatra spent her remaining years in the service of God. She gave her property to the poor and spent her time praying and fasting. Cleopatra died in 327.