Euphrosyne of Alexandria was a 5th-century Egyptian ascetic who lived as a monk for thirty-eight years. Born into a wealthy family in Alexandria, she chose to avoid an arranged marriage by disguising herself as a man. Taking the name Smaragdus, she entered a monastery and lived a life of seclusion to pursue her religious devotion. During her final year, she provided spiritual guidance to her father, Paphnutius, without initially revealing her true identity. She is venerated as a saint in several Christian traditions, including the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches.