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Philothei of Athens

Φιλοθέη η Αθηναία

Holy Woman

Feast day February 19

Venerable Martyr Philothei of Athens, foundress and protectress of the city.

St. Philothei was born in Athens in the sixteenth century to a noble family, and after the death of her husband devoted herself and her wealth to God. She founded a convent dedicated to St. Andrew in Athens, together with schools, hospices and workshops, and ransomed Christian women from Turkish captivity.

Her charity aroused the anger of the Turks, who beat her savagely; she died of her wounds in 1589 and is honoured as the patroness of Athens, where her relics rest in the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Philothei of Athens is commemorated on February 19. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on March 4 (a day earlier in leap years) of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Philothei, Filothei, Philothea, Filothea

Also commemorated on February 19

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