"The pure wisdom of the Holy Spirit dwelt in your pure heart..."

St. Philothei, the Venerable New-Martyr of Athens (source)

  
The pure wisdom of the Holy Spirit dwelt in your pure heart, O all-blessed Philothei, showing you to be an awesome dispeller of the evil spirits, and an all-perfect and mighty healer of afflictions. Therefore, as you have obtained boldness before God Who loves mankind, ceaselessly intercede that our souls and bodies might be freed from the passions.
-Doxastikon of the Litia for the Feast of St. Philothei of Athens

(source)
  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Paraklesis to St. Philothei of Athens

St. Philothei of Athens (source)

   

Note: St. Philothei suffered abuse at the hands of her husband before his death, and the remainder of her life, she helped to support, protect and deliver women who were being enslaved, abused and taken advantage of in any way. May she ever protect, deliver and heal those who suffer such things throughout the world, along with helping the poor, orphans, widows, and all those in dangers and those sick in body and soul.
 
Paraklesis to St. Philothei of Athens, the Venerable Martyr
 
After the "Blessed is our God...", the Psalm "O Lord hear my prayer...", followed by "God is the Lord..." four times, with verses.
 
Troparion in the Fourth Tone.
O Venerable one, crowned with martyrdom, and dyed with streams of your sacred blood, you stand before the King like a spotless lamb, and are ever nourished in the heavenly mansions, calling all to imitate your struggles, and you ever intercede on behalf of those who celebrate your all-honored memory.
 
Glory. The Same, or the Apolytikion of the Church.
 
Both now.
"O Theotokos, we shall never be silent..."
 
Then the Psalm "Have mercy on me, O God...", followed by the Canon of the Saint in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.
    Ode I.
O Saint of God, intercede in our behalf.
O faithful, let us entreat the Venerable Philothei, the protector of Athens. O Mother, make peaceful our lives through your fervent intercessions to God.
   
O Saint of God, intercede in our behalf.

Deliver from the terrible passions of the enemy, O Mother, your humble servants, and grant everyone deliverance of soul and body through your prayers.

   

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

You were brave in mind, O chaste one, and taught all to disdain the cares of this life, and terrible thoughts. I pray that your virtues might shine upon me.

   

Both now and for ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion.

O Lady, enrich my darkened soul and body with your light, and deliver all from every danger, through divine prayers of Philothei.

   

Ode III.

As the beautiful and God-loving adornment of monastics, and the surpassing arrayment of nuns, you proceeded to the dwelling-places of heaven and to the eternal and all-joyous life.
 
You are the adornment of monastics, and the all-perfect glory of the Church, the fellow dweller with the Angels, for you shined forth in the city of Athens through your crown of martyrdom, O Saint worthy of honor.
   
You were shown to be the auspicious dwelling-place of the Spirit, and in you came to dwell the All-holy Trinity, therefore you struggled, and were made worthy of joyous things, and you ever rejoice in the heavens.
 
Theotokion.
O Lady, deliver those who are truly in dangers, and who are storm-tossed by temptations, and deliver all of us through your intercessions and entreaties, O Virgin, for you are the Pure One, blessed of God.
 
Deliver your servants, O Venerable Martyr, and cast away from them sadness and dangers, for they have taken refuge in you, as one with fervent boldness.
 
Look down on me, in your good favor, all-hymned Theotokos, and do you behold my body's grievous infirmity, and heal the cause of my soul's sorrow.
 

St. Philothei of Athens (source)

 
And the petitions by the priest, followed by the Kathisma in the Second Tone.
You were shown to be an all-joyous feeder of the hungry, for you distributed your wealth, and gave yourself to a life of asceticism, O glorious Philothei. Enrich and deliver us who are in hunger, and speedily save us through your intercessions.
 
Ode IV.
You became the mother, and nourisher and refuge for all orphans, and to the calm haven you guide those who have taken refuge in you, O all-praised one.
 
You were shown to be the healing of the sick, and a good haven, for you deposed tyrants, and were strengthened by manliness of mind.
 
Deliver unscathed your city from the enemies that hate us, and show us forth to be almighty, O thrice-blessed Martyr Philothei.
 
Theotokion.
You are our haven and wall, and have become our sure refuge, give peace to our souls, and deliver us from terrible passions.
 
Ode V.
Enlighten our hearts and strengthen us, and grant us your help, O chaste and grace-flowing one, and spring of all joys.
 
Illumine the minds of your monastics and consecrate them, through your fervent intercessions to God, for you are compassionate and understanding.
 
Theotokion.
Guide our souls, O Pure One, to the haven of your compassion, and protect us, granting healing to this ailing.
 
Ode VI.
You disdained the things below,  and were exalted, being winged towards the things above, and you transformed your wounds and sadness into glory, and now you sing forever in the heavens, looking down upon those who long for you.
 
You are the deliverance of all those in sadness, O all-chaste one, and the protector of those wronged, for they take refuge in your intercessions, having drunk till full of your sweetness, and you are compassionate and the true shield of all those in dangers.
 
The city of Athens has found you to be her protector and fervent protecting wall, and she takes refuge in your divine Relics, and richly receives grace. Deliver from dangers, O Philothei, the pride of Martyrs.
 
Theotokion. 
We have you, Panagia, as our haven and our intercessor and our protection, and wall against the wiles of the enemy that wars against us. Lighten our hearts, O All-Spotless One, and deliver us all from dangers, through the divine intercessions of Philothei.
 
Deliver your servants, O Venerable Martyr, and cast away from them sadness and dangers, for they have taken refuge in you, as one with fervent boldness.
 
Spotless One, who by a word did bring to us the Word eternal, in the last days ineffably, do you now plead with Him, as the one with the motherly favor.
 

St. Philothei of Athens (source)

   

And the petitions by the priest, followed by the Kontakion in the Second Tone.

You were shown to be an unemptying spring of love, O chaste Philothei, and the deliverer of captives. Do not cease to pray for those who entreat you, but as you are good, lead those who piously venerate you to the peaceful haven. Deliver from dangers, and save from those who hate us, O you, the beauty of Martyrs and fellow dweller with the Angels.

   

Prokeimenon.

I patiently waited upon the Lord, and He heard me, and He hearkened unto my prayer. (2)

   

Verse

He placed my feet upon to rock, and directed my steps.

I patiently waited upon the Lord, and He heard me, and He hearkened unto my prayer.

   

The Gospel according to St. Matthew (10:16-20)

"The Lord said to His Disciples: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

 
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Through the intercessions of the Champion, O merciful Lord, wash away my many personal offenses.
 
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O merciful Lord, wash away my many personal offenses.
   
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your compassions, blot out my transgression.
You wholly shine with light from your soul, O all-honored Philothei, and became a most beautiful vessel breathing forth myrrh. I am not able to properly hymn the shady mountain of your many feats, which you endured for the love of Christ, the pains of asceticism and the struggle of martyrdom. You are the mother of virgins and the nourisher of orphans and widows, and you blossomed like a fragrant flower in the midst of winter.
 

St. Philothei of Athens (source)

 
And the priest says the "Save O Lord, Your people, and bless Your inheritance..."
 
Ode VII.
We praise your radiant way of life, for you sprouted forth as a rose in the midst of Athens, and you adorn her like a star and with the fragrance of your sacred Relic.
 
Open to all the gate of your mercy through your intercessions, pouring forth the streams of grace, and healing illnesses, and dissolving the ranks of the enemy, that we might ever honor your divine Relic.
 
You are seen to be a treasury of reverence, and a spring of compassion for those suffering, and the wall and protection of those persecuted, and their deliverer and defender, O wise Philothei, the beauty of Martyrs.
 
Theotokion.
You, O Mother, have become the intercessor for all those in dangers, and shield and protection and deliverance against those who war against us, O Virgin, who ever shines upon the minds of the faithful.
   
Ode VIII.
Dissolve the darkness of ignorance, and shine forth on all with the light of Christ, and gladden our minds.
 
Make to disappear the schemes of the false believers, and trample upon the evil schemes, that your city of Athens might praise you.
 
Through your chaste confession of your Christ, and with manliness of mind, you have yourself to warring against boasting of the heathen.
   
Theotokion.
Make us worthy, O Virgin, for those who take refuge in you in faith and seek you, of your fervent intercessions to your Son.
 
Ode IX.
Behold, O Philothei, the streams of my tears, and hasten to become my helper, I pray, and trample upon the cause of my sorrows.
 
Cleanse my heart and my lips, through your fervent intercessions, and dissolve the darkness of my soul, for you have great boldness before the Lord.
 
In the hour of danger from the evils of the serpent, deliver, O chaste one, from fearsome and terrible threats, and drive him far away from our souls.
 
Theotokion.
Speedily drive away from all of us our pains and trials, O Pure Virgin, and grant our souls peace, through Philothei's intercessions.
 

St. Philothei of Athens (source)

 
And the "Truly it is right to call you blest...", followed by the Megalynaria.

Rejoice, O treasure of the Athenians, O Martyr Philothei, the beauty of the Venerable, the boast of Greece, and the pride of the Orthodox, we all hasten to honor you with hymns.
 
O sweetest and chaste swallow, you preached Christ with boldness, and were made worthy of the crown of martyrdom, and eternal glory, and we ever praise you.
 
You shown forth from the height of virtue, truly enflamed by divine fire. You were shown to be be a vessel of the Spirit, O Philothei, and you strengthen all of our hearts.
 
O venerable alabaster flask of myrrh, you richly pour forth fragrance, for those who with fervor and reverence approach your divine Relics, O ever-memorable one.
 
Groans and tears and dangers of sin, drive away from us, and protect through your tender love, the city of Athens, who entreats the Master through your divine intercessions.
 
With the ranks of Angels, God's messengers...
 
Then the Trisagion, followed by the Apolytikion of the Saint, and the petitions of the Priest, commemorating whichever names he wishes, and finally the Apolysis and the following Prosomoia in the Second Tone.
 
As a beautiful swallow, you appeared amidst tyrannical darkness, becoming a harbinger of the sweetest springtime to come to our people, and preached faith, love and sacrifice for Christ God, offering your body as a spotless sacrifice, and this plant of piety, in our greatly suffering land, you watered through your blood.
 
As the morning star drives away bitter darkness, and brings forth the light, so you shone forth, bringing light to our darkened minds, storm-tossed by terrible dangers. O Venerable Mother Philothei, deliver us from dangers through your fervent intercessions to the Lord.

Lady, O do you receive...
 
My numerous hopes are placed...
(source)
 

St. Philothei of Athens (source)

 

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

An Encomium to the Theotokos, by St. Philothei of Athens

The Most-holy Theotokos "The Hope of the Faithful", holding Christ (Source)

  
The following is an encomium, written by St. Philothei of Athens in her childhood years to the Most-Holy Theotokos. It was uncovered by Professor Nikolos Vehs, in a manuscript of the Monastery of the Mega Spileon, Kalavryta, and published in an article in 1923:

 

O my All-pure Virgin, and my eternal spring,

The preaching of the Prophets, and the Mother of the Venerable,

You were the sermon preached by the Prophets,

You are the unburnt Bush, you are the holy Mountain,

You are the Ark, O sanctified Lady,

And you are the palace, the home of the King,

Where God made His home, and put on flesh,

He Who accepted the Cross for my sins.

 

I entreat you to tell Him to forgive me,

For all the many evils that I have done, and I stand in sadness.

 

Become, my Lady, an Intercessor, that you might deliver me,

As you have become for many an Intercessor who comes close to them.

 

You are, my Virgin, she who was spoken of by the Prophets,

Rejoice, O heavenly vine, and ladder of Paradise,

And rejoice, O unquenchable light, the Rod of Aaron,

The consul of salvation, you are the joy of the Righteous,

The hope of sinners and the boast of the Angels,

And I hope in you, that you will entreat for me.

 

(amateur translation of text from source)

  

St. Philothei of Athens (Source)

  

Most-holy Theotokos, save us!

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Philothei the Righteous Martyr of Athens

St. Philothei the Righteous Martyr of Athens - Commemorated on February 19 (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/03/St.Philothei.jpg)

"The Monastic Martyr Philothea was born in Athens in 1522. Her parents, Syriga and Angelos Benizelos, were renowned not only for being eminent and rich, but also deeply devout. Often the kind-hearted Syriga had implored the Most Holy Theotokos for a child. Her fervent prayers were heard, and a daughter was born to the couple. They named her Revoula.

The parents raised their daughter in deep piety and right belief, and when she was twelve years old they gave her away in marriage. Her husband turned out to be an impious and crude man, who often beat and tormented his wife. Revoula patiently endured the abuse and she prayed to God, that He might bring her husband to his senses.

St. Philothei beholding St. Andrew the First-Called in a vision, telling her to build a convent dedicated to him (http://www.iconography.gr/en/works_st_philothei.htm)

After three years Revoula's husband died, and she began to labor in fasting, vigil and prayer. The saint founded a women's monastery in the name of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called (November 30 and June 30). When the monastery was completed, the saint was the first to accept monastic tonsure, with the name Philothea.

During this time Greece was suffering under the Turkish Yoke, and many Athenians had been turned into slaves by their Turkish conquerors. St Philothea utilized all her means to free her fellow countrywomen, ransoming many from servitude. Once, four women ran away from their Turkish masters, who demanded that they renounce their Christianity, and took refuge in the monastery of St Philothea.

Slaves taking refuge in St. Philothei (http://www.iconography.gr/en/works_st_philothei.htm)

The Turks, having learned where the Greek women had gone, burst into the saint's cell, and beat her. They took her to the governor, who threw the holy ascetic into prison. In the morning, a mob of Turks had gathered, and they led her out of the prison. The governor said that if she did not renounce Christ, she would be hacked to pieces.

Just when St Philothea was ready to accept a martyr's crown, a crowd of Christians assembled by the grace of God. They pacified the judges and freed the holy ascetic. Returning to her monastery, St Philothea continued with her efforts of abstinence, prayer and vigil, for which she was granted the gift of wonderworking. In Patesia, an Athens suburb, she founded a new monastery, where she struggled in asceticism with the sisters.

The Martyrdom of St. Philothei (http://www.iconography.gr/en/works_st_philothei.htm)

  
During the Vigil for St Dionysius the Areopagite (October 3), the Turks seized St Philothea and tortured her. Finally, they threw her down on the ground half-dead. The sisters tearfully brought the holy martyr, flowing with blood, to Kalogreza, where she died on February 19, 1589. Shortly thereafter, the relics of the holy Monastic Martyr Philothea were brought to the Athens cathedral church."

(http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=109056)

  

The Burial of St. Philothei (http://www.gonia.gr/gonia.php?article=907)

The Holy Relics of St. Philothei, in the Metropolis Cathedral of Athens (http://www.hellenica.de/Griechenland/Religion/GR/AgiaFilotheiIAthinaia.html)

  

St. Philothei of Athens the Righteous Martyr (http://vatopaidi.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/agia-philothei.jpg)

  
For another life of St. Philothei, see: http://logismoitouaaron.blogspot.com/2009/03/lady-schoolmistress-of-athensst.html.

  

St. Philothei the Righteous Martyr of Athens (http://christopherklitou.com/icon_19_feb_philothea_of_athens.htm)
  

St. Philothei the Righteous Martyr of Athens (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkpBp6lIdxZigZ4JnHrhesnChjHdT-3MxZO6cYG2xCgfsX4UeZAXn8BbLQ_zdhRYCfs0DfZQEk9iXSn9IfZyS9UOfZ138DC26iiw1fmzbicv4_a5bNQ6pcMy1wTeGyZ_9MGgW9BTrz_w3/s1600/Ag-Filothei-2011.jpg)
  
Dismissal Hymn of the Righteous One - Plagal of First Tone. Let us worship the Word

The famed city of Athens doth honour Philothei, * the righteous Martyr, whose relics it now revereth with joy; * for while living in sobriety and holiness, * she hath exchanged all earthly things * for the everlasting life through great contests as a Martyr; * and she entreateth the Saviour to grant His mercy unto all of us.
  

Kontakion of the Righteous One - Third Tone. On this day the Virgin

We all honour Philothei * with jubilation of Spirit, * as this day we rev’rently * worship her ven’rable relics. * For she lived her whole life working kindness and mercy; * and the righteous one, receiving a martyr’s ending, * is deemed worthy to entreat God * that all be granted * eternal life with the Saints.
  
(taken from the service of the Saint in English here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/20278565/19-Philothei-of-Athens; the Greek life and service of the Saint is available here: http://anemi.lib.uoc.gr/search/?dtab=m&search_type=simple&search_help=&display_mode=overview&wf_step=init&show_hidden=0&number=10&keep_number=&cclterm1=%CE%A6%CE%B9%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B8%CE%AD%CE%B7&cclterm2=&cclterm3=&cclterm4=&cclterm5=&cclterm6=&cclterm7=&cclterm8=&cclfield1=term&cclfield2=&cclfield3=&cclfield4=&cclfield5=&cclfield6=&cclfield7=&cclfield8=&cclop1=&cclop2=&cclop3=&cclop4=&cclop5=&cclop6=&cclop7=&isp=&search_coll[metadata]=1&&stored_cclquery=&skin=&rss=0&display_mode=detail&ioffset=1&offset=1&number=1&keep_number=10&old_offset=1&search_help=detail)

St. Philothei of Athens the Righteous Martyr (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s2160/s2160002.jpg)

  

St. Philothei with her Synodeia of nuns in the Holy Monastery (source)

   

St. Philothei of Athens, by Photi Kontoglou (source)

   
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!