Edigna received a very good education at the French court. According to one of the versions, about 1074, she escaped from the royal court spurning a family-ordered marriage. Historians assume that she either decided to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land or wanted to visit the homeland of her mother Anna, Princess of Kyiv.

By legend, on her journey Edigna saw a dream in which a voice ordered her to stay at the place where simultaneously a bell would ring and a rooster would crow. The presage came true near the village of Puch in Bavaria, 30 kilometres from the contemporary city of Munich (Germany).

 Edigna made a trunk of an olden linden her home. She lived in it like a nun in a cell for more than thirty years, feeding only on plants and leading a godly life. Edigna taught children to read and write, initiating them to Christian values. The prophet of the Christian Faith, she was endowed with the gift of healing. For many years, she treated local peasants and their animals, helped to overcome troubles. Possessing the gift of sagacity, she helped to get back stolen or lost things. The renown of the healer Edigna spread throughout Bavaria. When she died, grateful villagers buried her in the chancel of their old church.

In 1600, the Roman Catholic Church sanctified Edigna. Her relics are kept in the wall near the chancel of St. Sebastian’s Church in the village of Puch.

Portrait (imaginary) of Saint Edigna.

By A. Orlionov. Oil on canvas. 90×70. 2008