Summary of Born for Adversity: The Life of St. Olympias the Deaconess

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St. Olympia was a wealthy woman from Constantinople who decided to dedicate her life to prayer and helping others. She became friends with the Archbishop John, who wrote a commentary on the Song of Songs for her. After a brief marriage, she dedicated the rest of her life to caring for the poor and serving the Church as an ordained deaconess. She was persecuted by John Chrysostom's opponents and went into exile with him, but was later exonerated. She died at the age of 105 after a long and difficult life.

• 00:00:00 St. Olympias the Deaconess was born into a wealthy family in Constantinople in 362, but after the deaths of her parents, she decided to dedicate her life to consecrated virginity, prayer, and almsgiving. She became friends and confidante to the Archbishop John, who wrote a famous commentary on the Song of Songs for her. After a brief marriage to a man of high rank, her relationship ended abruptly, and she dedicated the rest of her life to caring for the poor and serving the Church as an ordained deaconess. She died in 431.
• 00:05:00 Olympia was a deaconess who dedicated her life to serving the needs of women and the poor. She was persecuted by John Chrysostom's opponents, and after being put on trial twice, was exonerated by proclaiming that her past life should avert suspicion. After Chrysostom's exile, Olympia fled Constantinople with many of his supporters.
• 00:10:00 St. Olympia was a Christian saint who devoted her life to charitable works and helping others. Two years after settling in Nicomedia, she died at the age of 105 after a long and difficult exile. Her follower and spiritual daughter, Marina, later wrote about her life and saintly qualities.