Long Island Woman, 92, Achieves Lifelong Dream; Becomes a Nun in NY Greek Orthodox Monastery

The Orthodox Beacon website reports today that Greek-born Chrystalla Petropoulou, of Long Island, NY, has fulfilled a lifelong dream by becoming a nun in the Greek Orthodox Church -- at the age of 92.

Petropoulou officially became a nun on April 17, 2010 at the new All Saints Greek Orthodox Monastery in Calverton, Long Island. Along with Elizabeth Brandenburg, 28, of St. Louis, and Maria Kallis, 27, of Detroit, Petropoulou received a new religious name and a new black habit. The three women had their hair in the shape of a cross ceremonially snipped from their heads.

In 1997, Petropoulou donated $13,000 to a fund-raising effort to get the monastery built. The monastery was completed in 2005.

Born in Cyprus, Petropoulou never married and has no children. She said, "I don't care about doctors. I don't care about medicine. I just want to die at the monastery."