Righteous 8th century

Righteous Philaret the Merciful

c. 702 – 792

Also known as Philaret of Amnia

A wealthy landowner of Paphlagonia who became poor through generosity yet continued to trust God, remembered for mercy toward the poor and strangers.

Feast Day

December 1

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Commemorated as

The Righteous Philaret the Merciful of Amnia

Life

Philaret the Merciful was an eighth-century landowner of Amnia, a village in the Paphlagonian district of Asia Minor, remembered for an almsgiving so unstinting that it reduced his own household from wealth to poverty. According to the Synaxarion he was the son of George and Anna and was raised in piety; his wife, Theoseba, came from a rich and illustrious family, and they had three children: a son, John, and daughters Hypatia and Evanthia.

Although he was a rich and illustrious dignitary, Philaret did not hoard his wealth and became famed for his love of the poor. The accounts of his life turn on his continued trust in God even as his giving stripped away his land, livestock, and stores, and on the unexpected restoration of his family's fortunes through the marriage of his granddaughter Maria to the Emperor Constantine VI.

Timeline 4 moments Read Hide

8th century Life at Amnia in Paphlagonia Philaret, son of George and Anna, lived in the village of Amnia in the Paphlagonian district of Asia Minor as a member of an illustrious local aristocratic family. He married Theoseba and they raised three children: John, Hypatia, and Evanthia.
8th century Impoverishment through almsgiving After Arab raiders plundered his estate, Philaret was left with only a few animals — by the accounts, two oxen, a donkey, a cow with her calf, and some beehives, along with his house — which he continued to share with those in need. During a famine he gave away wheat and finally his donkey, and the narrative relates that when his last measure of wheat was gone, an old friend sent him forty bushels.
8th century Marriage of his granddaughter Maria His granddaughter Maria was selected during an imperial bride-show and became the wife of the future Emperor Constantine VI. The emperor rewarded Philaret, but he refused fine clothing and any imperial rank, saying it was enough to be called the grandfather of the Empress.
792 Death at Constantinople Having reached ninety years of age, Philaret went to the Rodolpheia monastery in Constantinople, gave gold to the abbess, and asked to be buried there. He died in 792 and was buried at that monastery.

Contributions & Legacy

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A Reputation for Mercy

Philaret's name means 'lover of virtue,' and the tradition surrounding him emphasizes that his gifts brought good to their recipients. The Synaxarion relates that whoever received something from him found that the gift would multiply and that the person would prosper.

The narratives record concrete acts of charity rather than general piety: during a famine he borrowed wheat and gave six bushels to a poor man, eventually handing over the very donkey needed to carry the load. Even after Arab forces reduced his holdings to a handful of animals and his house, he is said to have shared what remained.

The Imperial Bride-Show

The most consequential event of Philaret's later life was the selection of his granddaughter Maria during an imperial bride-show, an event associated with the court of the Empress Irene. Maria exceeded the other candidates and became the wife of the future Emperor Constantine VI.

Though the marriage restored his family's standing, Philaret is remembered for declining the trappings of court. He refused to wear fine clothes or accept imperial rank, content with being called the grandfather of the Empress.

Relics & Shrines

Philaret was buried at the Rodolpheia monastery in Constantinople, also called 'The Judgment,' where by his own request the abbess permitted his burial. His life was recorded in a vita written by his grandson Niketas.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints