The Feminist Saint Philothei
A Pious Noblewoman’s Radical Activism in Ottoman Athens
Today, March 8th, we celebrate International Women’s Day, honoring the historical struggles of women for equal rights, suffrage, workplace equality, and freedom. From Aristophanes’ comedy “Lysistrata,” in which the women of Athens declare a sex strike and occupy the Acropolis to force the men to end the Peloponnesian War; to the Alexandrian mathematician, astronomer, and Neoplatonic philosopher Hypatia; from the first female historian, the Byzantine princess Anna Komnene, and the Athenian Saint Philothei, to the first female admiral in modern history, Laskarina Bouboulina, and the strikes of female factory workers in New York in 1857 up to the present day, this date remains an important reminder of the fight against violence, discriminations and the gender pay gap.
To mark the occasion, I’ve chosen to highlight one of these remarkable women. I first encountered her story a few months ago while studying the Benizelos Mansion—the oldest house in Athens—as part of my course on Ottoman-era architecture. Since March is Women’s History Month, I plan to spend the coming weeks showcasing the lives of influential women to remind us why these celebrations still matter,, as even today, gender equality remains a goal rather than a given.
Saint Philothei of Athens (1522–1589) is one of the aforementioned women who stands out as an iconic figure. From a feminist perspective, she represents self-determination, female solidarity, and social subversion. Through her actions, Philothei did not confine herself to traditional religious duties; rather, she acted as a pioneering social activist who used her wealth to elevate the status of women, displaying a free spirit that refused to be trapped by the restrictions of her gender or the subjugated society she lived in, only to be tortured to death.
Before we delve into the details of her life, it is worth saying a few words about the historical context in which Saint Philothei lived, as this will make her actions and their significance much easier to understand.
Behind the paywall:
Athens of Knights and Sultans: The world where Saint Philothei was born into.
The Benizelos Mansion: Athens’ oldest house and Saint Philothei’s ancestral home.
Philanthropy and resistance: How Saint Philothei’s work infuriated both Ottoman authorities and the local elite.
Martyrdom and a timeless legacy of emancipation: Why Saint Philothei is still relevant.
And finally: The dismissal hymn (apolytikion) dedicated to her—a hauntingly beautiful post-byzantine chant that will immerse you in a world of otherworldly serenity and profound devotion.
Join our community to read the final chapters of this extraordinary story and listen to the sacred melody dedicated to her legacy.
