Orthodox women saints have been influential figures of the Christian faith. They have been important to Christianity in many ways, but their contributions have been especially noted because of their relationship to the earliest Christian communities. Many of these saints are still considered holy today. Some of the most famous include Saints Claudius, Dymphna, and Xanthippe.
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St. Dymphna
Saint Dymphna is a saint known for her healing ministry to patients with nervous and emotional disorders. She is also a patroness of epilepsy, incest victims, and rape. Her feast day is on May 15.
Dymphna was born in Ireland in the seventh century. Her father was a petty king of Oriel, a region of Ireland. As a child, she was taken under the care of a pious Christian woman who prepared her for baptism.
When she was fourteen, Dymphna consecrated her virginity to Jesus Christ. When her mother died, her father loved her very much. However, Damon became mad. He decided to marry a woman who would be just as beautiful as his late wife.
Damon’s efforts to find a replacement wife in the Western world proved unsuccessful. His daughter, however, managed to escape and fled to Belgium with a priest and two family servants.
The pagan king sent his soldiers to track the woman. They were unable to find her, but he was able to find St. Gerebernus. Having heard of his daughter’s plight, the king rebuked his servants and ordered them to kill both of them.
St. Methodia
Saint Methodia was a Christian woman who lived in the island of Kimolos. She was the third child of eight in her family. The parents decided to marry her without her consent. But she soon escaped from the marriage and took up monastic life.
The girl learned about the Orthodox Faith from missionaries. Her love for Christ was stronger than her love for her parents. Despite the fact that her parents drove her from the house when she was baptized, she continued to worship with her newfound faith.
In her youth, she participated in the Divine Liturgy and prayed virtually around the clock. She also offered advice to women who had a need. Her modesty and her charity stood out from other girls.
She was known as a guardian of the island and as a valuable vessel of God-sent virtues. Her holy relics were transferred to the crypt within the church. She was tonsured as a nun by Archbishop Methodios of Siros. This happened on July 17, 1991.
St. Xanthippe
A cosmopolitan group, these women saints achieved sanctity in different ways. Several hymns and sermons document their lives. The Orthodox Church has paid homage to their memory. They are honored during the first month of the liturgical year.
In Spain, the aristocratic sisters Xanthippe and Polyxene were among the first to hear of the divine teaching of Christ. They were also converted by the apostle Paul. These two ladies are well represented on the September calendar.
Xanthippe was a faithful wife, a virtuous mother and a devoted sister. She served as an eye-witness to the miracles of St. Andrew. Her faith and dedication helped convert many pagans to Christianity. She reposed in year 109.
Xanthippe had a vision of Jesus as a young man. This was one of the most notable things she saw. It is said that she sang praises to him.
Another thing she witnessed was the miracle of a dragon swallowing her. Apparently, she dreamed of this event. However, her efforts to obtain baptism failed.
St. Claudius
St Claudius and orthodox women saints were Christians who lived during the time of the Roman Empire. They are venerated in the Armenian Orthodox Apostolic Church as Saints. Some of them were also martyrs. Their relics are kept at the monastery on Mt Athos.
St Philotheos is considered a Greek Saint, not listed in the Synaxaria. His mother converted to Christianity from Judaism. He entered monastic life at Mt. Sinai. During his lifetime, he drafted the Hagiorite Tome.
St Philip was a great preacher of the Gospel. His miracles were admired by many. It was he who baptized Queen Candace of Ethiopia. In his youth, he was a monk. After the death of Emperor Constantine, Arian heretics attacked him.
St Ambrose is known for his miracles. Among his many healings, he healed three possessed men. Moreover, he demonized several demons. His prayers brought Arian heretics back to the Orthodox Faith.
Besides being a monk, St Anthony of Alexandria was a priest and a physician. He traveled through Egypt and the Holy Land.
