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The abbess of Chrysovalantou noticed that Irene was following [[Christ]]'s words that "without Me, you can do nothing. Anyone who remains in Me as I remain in him will bear much fruit" ([[Gospel of John|John]] 15:5); and the [[novice]] was admired by all for her obedience, humility, love, and enthusiasm; her community went so far as to say that she had the spirit of a freed slave.
In her [[cell]] she read the lives of the saints, learning from St. [[Arsenios Arsenius the Great|ArseniosArsenius]] the night-long prayer. Irene asked for a blessing to embark on this, and the abbess, recognising Irene's humility, granted her request before the end of her first year of the novitiate. Irene was able to stand from morning to night with [[orans|hands raised]], sometimes standing for full days without movement, much to the amazement of the abbess.
Irene would do this for three years, and the evil one was unable to divert her because of Irene's success in subduing earthly thoughts and temptations through [[abstinence]] and obedience. Her food was bread and water, with occasional supplements from herbs or vegetables; her [[habit]] was replaced only every [[Easter]], and she would only clean it to give to the poor during [[Lent]]. Her obedience was cleaning the bathroom. Any wayward thoughts or signs of the evil one's activity were immediately [[confession|confessed]] to the abbess, with Irene's exercises recommenced.