Saint Olympias of Constantinople

Biography

Saint Olympias of Constantinople, also known as Olympiada, was born to a wealthy noble family in Constantinople. Tragically, she became an orphan at a young age, but this did not deter her from seeking a virtuous life. She was married to Nebridius, who served as the prefect of Constantinople. However, her husband passed away shortly after their marriage, leaving Olympias a widow. Despite the offers of marriage that came her way, Olympias refused to remarry and instead devoted herself wholeheartedly to the Church. Recognizing her deep spiritual devotion and leadership qualities, she was ordained as a deaconess. Following her ordination, Olympias opened her home to a group of prayerful women who joined her in seeking a life dedicated to piety and charity. This community, although not cloistered, focused on prayer, spiritual growth, and giving aid to those in need. Olympias had a compassionate heart and a desire to alleviate the sufferings of the less fortunate. She demonstrated her commitment to charity by founding a hospital and an orphanage, where she cared for the sick, abandoned, and destitute. Furthermore, she took it upon herself to provide shelter for monks who were expelled from Nitria due to political and religious conflicts of the time. Olympias was known for her unwavering generosity and regularly distributed large portions of her wealth to those in need. Saint John Chrysostom, a close friend and prominent leader in the early Church, admired Olympias for her selflessness and charitable acts. However, he occasionally expressed concern that she was giving away too much of her wealth, worried that she would impoverish herself. Nonetheless, Olympias remained steadfast in her commitment to helping others and continued her philanthropic efforts. In 404, Olympias faced persecution due to her unwavering support of Saint John Chrysostom, who himself was exiled for his zealous defense of truth. As a result of her association with him, her community of women was disbanded, her home was seized, and sold. Olympias, forced into exile, spent the remainder of her days in Nicomedia. Her final years were marked by continuous illness, but she remained faithful and prayerful until her passing on 25 July 408. Recognizing the immense holiness and devotion exhibited throughout her life, Saint Olympias was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church, although this occurred prior to the formal establishment of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Saint Olympias is remembered for her exceptional charity, unwavering dedication to the Church, and her commitment to prayer and spiritual growth. Her feast day is celebrated on 17 December and is recognized on 25 July on some calendars. While she does not have a specific patronage, she serves as an inspiring example of compassion and selflessness for all Catholics.