Today we commemorate the dormition of the mother of the Theotokos. She was, according to tradition, barren, and mourning her inability to bear children when an angel announced her pregnancy (see PJ 1-4): “. . . the Lord God has heard your prayer. You will conceive and give birth, and your child will be talked about all over the world.” Another tradition says she lived to the age of 69.

St. Olympias is the oft mentioned correspondant and friend of St. John Chrysostom. She was a wealthy deaconess who founded a hospital, orphanage, and a convent, as well as giving respite to the monks of Nitra. A staunch supporter of Chrysostom, she suffered at the hands of imperial officials for not accepting his successors. Olympias died in exile in Nicomedia the year after Chrysostom on 25 July 408.