Philothei

Philothei
Born	1522 Athens, Ottoman Greece
Died	1589
Honored in	Eastern Orthodoxy
Feast	February 19
Patronage	Athens, Women and Charitable works

Saint Philothei (also known as Philotheia or Philothea) (Greek: Άγια Φιλοθέη) (1522 - 1589) was a Greek martyr and saint. She was born in Athens to an illustrious and wealthy family. Against her will, she was married to a cruel man. When he died three years later, the Saint gave away her worldly belongings, took up the monastic life and established a convent, in which she became a mother to her disciples. Many women enslaved and abused by the Muslim Ottoman Turks in harems also ran to her for refuge. Because of this, in 1589, the Turkish rulers of Ottoman Greece became enraged and came to her convent and dragged her by force out of the church. They beat her cruelly and after a few days, she died.

Saint Philothei is considered a martyr by the Eastern Orthodox Church; her memory is venerated on February 19. Along with Saints Hierotheus and Dionysius the Areopagite, Saint Philothei is considered a patron of the city of Athens. Her relics are interred in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens. The Philothei district of Athens is named after her.

Saint Philothei has a Troparion written about her:

Troparion to St. Philothei (Tone 5) The Faithful of Athens and all the world honor Philothei the martyred nun and rejoice in her holy relics. For she has exchanged this passing life for the life that knows no end through her struggle and martyrdom; and she begs the Savior to have mercy on us all.^[1]

References

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