St. Olympias, a lady of illustrious descent and ample fortune, was born about the year 368. Educated under the care of Theodosia, sister of St. Amphilochius, she practiced eminent virtue at an early age. She was very young when she married Nebridius, treasurer of the Emperor, Theodosius the Great, but he died within days.In Constantinople where Olympias resided, her life was henceforth devoted to good works and charitable deeds. Her immense riches were entirely consecrated to the Church and the poor. Like all the Saints of God, she also had to endure many afflictions, corporal infirmities, and persecutions on the part of the world. Nectarius, Patriarch of Constantinople, appointed her deaconess of the Church, an office that existed at the time.
St. John Chrysostom, who became Patriarch in 398, also had the great respect for St. Olympias’s virtue. Her fidelity to his cause when he was exiled in 404 drew upon her the persecution of his enemies, until she was finally obliged to leave the city (but she returned the next year).
Her correspondence with St. John Chrysostom was a great comfort and encouragement for her. In exchange for the direction received from the Saint, she sent plentiful supplies with which, in his dreary exile, he ransomed many captives. She survived St. John Chrysostom who died in 407, for she passed away from this world about the year 408.
PRAYER: God, You inspired St. Olympias to strive for perfect charity and so attain Your Kingdom at the end of her pilgrimage on earth. Strengthen us trough her intercession that we may advance rejoicing in the way of love. Amen.