Saint Philothea of Athens, born as Revoula Benizelos in the 16th century, was an exceptional figure who dedicated her life to assisting women and education, despite the difficult times of Ottoman rule over Greece.

She hailed from the aristocratic Athenian Benizelos family, one of the oldest and most powerful families in Athens, mentioned in Venetian sources as key in governing the city during the Ottoman period. However, they were also remembered in history for their exceptional contribution to education and the dissemination of knowledge in the most challenging times.

Revoula grew up in a wealthy and educated family, but her life was not easy. Forced into marriage at a young age, after her husband’s death, she decided to devote her life to faith and charity, taking the monastic name Philothea. Embracing monastic life, around 1551, she established a school for women, which was revolutionary at the time, as educating girls was rare and dangerous under Ottoman rule.

Saint Philothea is best known for her generous philanthropy and constant efforts to help the vulnerable. The monastery she founded was a center for numerous charitable activities, both in Athens and on the islands of the Aegean Sea. In addition to the monastery, Philothea established another, more secluded monastery in Patisia. She also built places where the sick and the poor were cared for, as well as elderly individuals who could not care for themselves.
She is also remembered as a great benefactor of schools for boys and girls in Athens.

Rescuing Women from Turkish Harems

One of her most controversial and bravest actions was the liberation of Greeks who had been enslaved by the Turks, especially women who ended up in harem chambers. Philothea provided refuge for young women, including pregnant ones, despite being targeted by Ottoman authorities. She secretly helped them escape to islands such as Tzia, Andros, Egina, and Salamis, where they were safe from Turkish repression.

Her courage and selfless assistance remained engraved in memory as a symbol of the fight for freedom and the dignity of women during the Turkish occupation.

She was persecuted and ultimately severely punished for her courage, but the grateful Greek people never forgot her. The Turks brutally beat her several times, but they failed to break her spirit.

Education and Schools as the Greatest Contribution of the Benizelos Family

The Benizelos family was known not only for their power but also for their education and influence in the Greek community.

Saint Philothea founded two female monasteries where schools for women operated, despite the dissatisfaction of the Turks, who ultimately killed her.
She was also known for the generous gifts she gave to existing Greek schools in Athens.

Her father, Angelos Benizelos, was a significant figure in the administration of the Greek community in Venice, where he taught at the famous Scuola dei Greci, which translates to “School of the Greeks,” active from the late 15th to the early 19th century.
This prestigious institution educated not only Greeks but also Serbs and other Orthodox peoples under Ottoman rule. The school played a crucial role in preserving Orthodox culture and identity during that period.

The House of the Benizelos Family in Plaka

Today, the house of the Benizelos family is preserved in the old part of Athens, in Plaka. This historical building testifies to Athens’ rich heritage and its significant figures, including Saint Philothea. Her relics are kept in the Metropolitan Church in Athens, and her name is still respected as a symbol of kindness, education, and the fight for justice.

As you walk through Athens passing by the beautiful Metropolitan Church, know that the relics of Saint Philothea rest there, a courageous and noble woman who remains an inspiration to many, with her deeds leaving an indelible mark on the history of Athens and Greek Orthodoxy.

A detailed guide for the Acropolis will help you visit this monument on the world list and fully immerse yourself in the history of the most famous place: Acropolis in Athens - everything you need to know before your visit.

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Photo credit:
- By C messier - Own work\, CC BY-SA 4.0\, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47389848
- By Χρήστης Templar52 - Transferred from el.wikipedia to Commons by Alaniaris using CommonsHelper.(Original text: Φωτογράφηση εξ ιδίων)\, Attribution\, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4313201
- By C messier - Own work\, CC BY-SA 4.0\, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47389848
- By C messier - Own work\, CC BY-SA 4.0\, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51359657
-By C messier - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51880055