*
Today’s saint, St. Olympias, is primarily known for her
charity as well as her friendship with a saint who caused no end of trouble to
the rulers of Constantinople. St.
Olympias lived from about 365 to 408 A.D. in either Constantinople or
Antioch. She was a relative of the emperors
and after the death of her husband was even courted by Emperor Theodosius. However, she dedicated her life to the Church
and gave away her wealth to the needy and to the Church. She also built a hospital and orphanage. She became a friend and supporter of St. John
Chrysostom, a patriarch of Constantinople who offended the empress, to the
point of being exiled. Her support was
so strong that she, too, was exiled, ending her religious community and charitable
works. She died in exile in 408.
St. John Chrysostom wrote these words to Olympias: “I cannot cease to call you blessed. You have borne your sorrows with patience and
dignity. You have managed delicate affairs
with prudence and wisdom. You have
thrown a veil over the malice of your persecutors with charity. Thus you have won a glory and reward that in
the future will make all your sufferings seem light and passing in the presence
of eternal joy.”
Friendship is a great gift and also a
responsibility. When we have a friend,
we are called to support and care for that friend to bring the friend to Jesus,
our ultimate friend. We encourage our
friends in Christ so that they may develop in holiness and love. Many saints had friends with other saints,
such as Sts. Olympias and John Chrysostom.
We need to look for and develop saintly friendships so we, too, may be
brought to Jesus in Heaven with our friend.
St. Olympias, pray for us.
*https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_Olympia.JPG
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