Saint Olympias
Saint Olympias (born c. 361 AD in Constantinople; died c. 408 AD in Nicomedia, Bithynia (modern Turkey)) was a deaconess of Constantinople and one of the most remarkable women of the early Church — a widow of extraordinary wealth who gave away her entire fortune in service of the poor and the Church, and who became the closest confidante and correspondent of Saint John Chrysostom during his exile. Her feast day is July 25.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Olympias
| Saint Olympias | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | July 25 |
| Profession | Deaconess of Constantinople; widow; philanthropist; founder of a women's monastic-deaconess community |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Eastern Orthodox Church; early Byzantine Church; Constantinople; deaconess tradition; friend and correspondent of Saint John Chrysostom; early Christian widows |
| Patronage | Widows; deaconesses; those who give generously to the poor; those who stand by their spiritual directors in persecution; Constantinople; philanthropy |
| Attributes | Byzantine court dress or deaconess's habit; money or gifts being distributed to the poor; letter (Chrysostom's letters); hospital setting; Constantinople and Hagia Sophia |
| Birthplace | Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey) |
| Death Place | Nicomedia, Bithynia (modern Izmit, Turkey) |
| Cause of Death | Natural death in exile; she died c. 408 AD in Nicomedia, where she had been exiled after the unjust deposition of John Chrysostom from Constantinople; she spent her final years in Nicomedia following the events of 404 AD; she died of grief and illness from the trials of her exile and the suffering of her friend and spiritual director Chrysostom |
| Primary Shrine | Constantinople (Istanbul) broadly — her deaconess house and hospital were adjacent to the Hagia Sophia; no specific surviving shrine; relics translated and distributed in medieval period; venerated in Eastern churches |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); July 25; Feast in Byzantine Rite |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar |
Biography
Olympias was born c. 361 AD in Constantinople into an aristocratic family. After a brief marriage to Nebridius, Prefect of Constantinople (who died within two years), she was widowed young. The Emperor Theodosius I tried to force a second marriage on her; she appealed and was allowed to remain a widow.
She devoted her enormous inheritance entirely to the Church and the poor. She built a hospital for sick women near the Hagia Sophia and governed a community that grew to over 200 women. Patriarch Nectarius of Constantinople ordained her a deaconess c. 391 AD.
When John Chrysostom became Archbishop of Constantinople (398 AD), she became his closest supporter and confidante. After his unjust deposition in 404 AD, she faced persecution and was eventually exiled to Nicomedia. Chrysostom wrote to her from his own exile — 17 letters survive, which are among the greatest spiritual letters of the early Church.
She died in Nicomedia c. 408 AD.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey)
Death location: Nicomedia, Bithynia (modern Izmit, Turkey)
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Olympias have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Saint of the Day: December 17th - Saint Olympias | 5–15 minutes | Butler's Lives of the Saints |
| Saint Olympias (Olympia) - December 17th | Under 5 minutes | Saint of the Day |
| Saint Olympias & Saint Bonaventure I Compilation Video I #SaintsandAngelsTV #saints | 15–30 minutes | Saints and Angels TV |
| Story of Saint Olympias | Saints and Angels TV | EP 78 | #SaintsandAngels #CatholicSaints #Saints | 5–15 minutes | Saints and Angels TV |
Shrines
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Feast day
July 25
Veneration
Saint Olympias is venerated as one of the great women of the early Church, known for her radical generosity and her faithful friendship with Saint John Chrysostom. The 17 letters Chrysostom wrote to her from exile are among the most moving documents of early Christianity.
Prayers
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Intercessory
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