Osia Filothei was born in 1522 AD. in then Turkish-occupied Athens. Her pious parents were called Angelos and Syriga Benizelou. Her mother was barren and she got the Saint after fervent and constant prayer. The Lord who satisfies the will of those who respect and love Him, heard her prayer. And indeed, one day Syriga went as usual to the temple of the Theotokos to pray and from the effort of the intense and persistent prayer she fell asleep for a while. Just then he saw a wonderful vision. A strong and bright light came out of the icon of Theotokos and entered her belly. So she woke up immediately and decided that this vision meant the satisfaction of her request. That's how it happened. After some time, Syriga became pregnant and gave birth to her only daughter. Along with the Christian upbringing, they gave their only daughter every possible education for that time. So Rigula, that was her name before she became a nun, the more she grew in physical age, the more she died in soul, as her synaxari says. At the age of 14, her parents married her to one of the lords of Athens. Later, after her parents and her husband died, it was time for her to make a big wish come true. She dedicates herself entirely to Christ, becomes a nun and takes the name Philothei. In principle, following the order of Saint Andrew the Firstborn, whom he saw in a vision, he built a women's monastery with several cells, to which he gave the name of the Saint to honor him. He added other necessary buildings and lands to the monastery and endowed it with shares and mortgages, which were more than sufficient for the sustenance and maintenance of the monks. This monastery of Saint Andrew was built in Athens, by the Grace of God, for many years after the Saint's ascension and was enriched, not only with imposts and various shares, but also with many kinds of gold-woven priestly vestments and utensils, necessary for the annual sacred ceremonies and vigils. Above all, however, the monastery was humbled and adorned with the treasure of the honorable and holy relic of the Saint, which was hoarded and deposited on the right side of the Holy Step, where it was reverently received by all Christians. The holy relic of the Saint spread fragrance, a fact that was a visible testimony and proof of her holiness. Her example, therefore, of dedicating herself to Christ, is followed by other young women. In a short time, the monastery reached two hundred sisters. The monastery of Osias Filothei becomes a real port. All those suffering from slavery find protection there. There the sick find healing, the hungry find food, the elderly support and the orphans affection. Osia, despite the reactions of the Turks, builds various charitable foundations, hospitals, orphanages, "schools for the children of the Athenians, in order to open their eyes to the tradition and glory of their ancestors". Abbess Philothei takes the lead in all these works. She teaches with her words and her life. She supports the suffering slaves with her prayer. Special are her cares to save the young Greek women from Islamization or the abduction of the Turks. However, the entire action of Agia Filothei once enraged the Turks. At some point they arrest her and she confesses with spiritual courage: "I am thirsty to endure various kinds of torture for the name of Christ, whom I adore and worship with all my soul and heart, as a true God and a perfect man and I will owe you a great deal gratitude if you can send me to Him an hour earlier with the crown of martyrdom". Apart from this heroic response to the conquerors, everyone believed that the very happy and illustrious Philothei would soon be martyred. However, by divine will, at almost the last moment, some Christians arrived and appeased the ruler in various ways. This is how they managed to free Agia. Now freed, Saint Philothei returned bloodless to her monastery, just like Nicholas the Myroblyte on Constantine the Great and many centuries later the Archbishop of Thessaloniki Saint Gregory the Palamas. She cared, not only for the salvation of her own soul, but also for the salvation of others, since she strengthened the virtuous in virtue, and morally improved the sinners and led them to repentance. And exclusively for this purpose he went to the island of Gia (Kea), where he had long ago built a metochi, in order to send there those nuns who for various reasons were afraid to stay in Athens. He stayed in Gia for a long time and devotedly indoctrinated the practicing sisters in the strict observance of the rules of monastic life. As soon as she finished her work there, she returned again to Athens. #SaintPhilothei #Orthros #TheaLitourgia #SaintPhilothei #MartyrofAthens