athers and
Church authorities of the age make mention of it. The office is spoken
of as worthy of all honor, filled by women of rank from noble families,
and those of wealth and ability. It found its special advocate and
protector in Chrysostom, "John of the Golden Mouth," who was Bishop of
Constantinople from 397 until 407 A.D. He seems to have had the
ability, rare for that age, of understanding the value of the services
of Christian women, and through his wise guidance and encouragement had
over them almost unbounded influence. Forty-six deaconesses were under
his direction--forty attached to the mother church at Constantinople,
and six belonging to a small church in the suburbs. A number of these
were closely identified with his history, either as relatives or
friends, and through his writings their memory is preserved. Of these
are Nicarete, of a noble family of Nicomedia. We are told she was of a
modest, retiring nature, and would not take places of responsibility
when urged to do so by Chrysostom. We note a strong tendency toward the
later celibate life of the nuns when we read that she was extolled for
"her perpetual virginity and holy life." Sabiniana was the aunt of
Chrysostom. To Amprucla the bishop wrote two letters still extant.[11]
They are filled with words of consolation for the religious persecution
she has undergone. In one of them he says: "Greatly did we sympathize
with your manliness, your steadfast and adamantine understanding, your
freedom of speech and boldness." "Manliness of soul" seems to have held
a high place in the bishop's favorite qualities. In another place,
writing to the same deaconess, he praises "your steadfast soul, true to
God; yea, rather, your noble and most manly soul."

Pentadia and Procla were closely associated with Olympias. In a letter
to Pentadia, Chrysostom writes: "For I know your great and lofty soul,
which can sail as with a fair wind through many tempests, and in the
midst of the waves enjoy a white calm."[12] Reading such words of
appreciation, words that in other places approach dangerously near to
adulation, we better understand the influence Chrysostom exercised over
the women of his time, and their steadfast devotion to him. They had the
conviction that all their efforts met with his sincere and profound
appreciation and quick responsive acknowledgment.

Pre-eminent among the friends of the great bishop was Olympias, of whom
Dean Howson said, "She is the queenly