Saint’s Corner
St. Olympias
On December 17th we celebrate the memorial of St. Olympias. She was from Constantinople and was born about the year 361 to a family of distinction and wealth. When her parents died, Olympias inherited a large fortune. Being beautiful, it was not long before her uncle married her off. However, a short time later, her husband died and St. Olympias found herself a widow. She once again found herself being suited, this time by a relative of the emperor, but resigned to stay single stating, “Had God wished me to remain a wife He would not have taken Nebridius away.” Because of her refusal, the emperor put someone in charge of her estate. Olympias responded by writing a letter to the emperor asking him to spread her wealth between the poor and the Church. The emperor restored her wealth and St. Olympias dedicated herself to the service of God. She gave so much of her money to the poor that St. John Chrysostom admonished her to be more careful in giving her money away to ensure that it went to the most needy. St. Olympias died in 408.