Philothei [SEP] canonization status
Philothei
Saint Philothei of Athens, née Revoula Benizelos, (also known as Philotheia or Philothea) () (November 21, 1522 - February 19, 1589) was a Greek Orthodox religious sister, martyr and saint from Ottoman-era Greece.
Life.
Philothei was born in Athens on November 21, 1522 to an illustrious and wealthy family. Her parents were Angelos Benizelos and Syrigi Palaiologina, both from old Byzantine families. They had no children, but after fervent prayer her mother gave birth to a daughter
parents died in 1549, Philothei found herself the owner of extensive holdings. She took up the monastic life and around 1551, establishing a women's monastery under the patronage of St. Andrew. She took the name Philothei. There the young nuns taught handiwork, weaving, housekeeping and cooking. In this way, she prepared the young women who came to her for the domestic life.
Philothei is primarily remembered for her abundant philanthropy. The convent had a great deal of charity establishments both in Athens and on the islands of