12th–13th century
Saint Philothea the Virgin-martyr
A young wife from Pamphylia who lived in purity within marriage and, once widowed, gave her wealth to the poor.
Biography
Philothea was born in Molyvotos in Pamphylia to pious parents and had memorized Scripture from childhood. She was married at fourteen against her will, but persuaded her husband that they should live in purity within their marriage.
After the early death of both her parents and her husband, she freed the family's slaves, gave away her wealth to the poor and to monasteries, and withdrew with one of her servants to an island near her home, where she lived in fasting, vigil and prayer, supporting Christians when persecution flared up again.