Cassienne de Constantinople
v. 810-v. 865 9th century Feast day: September 7
To speak the truth without flattery, and to sing the mercy offered to those who turn back.
Who was Cassienne de Constantinople?
A Byzantine noblewoman of Constantinople, sharp in wit and pen, she refused compromise and founded a monastery where she became abbess. She is one of the few women whose compositions the Eastern Church still sings: hymns, canons, and biting maxims. Her troparion of the sinful woman, sung on Holy Wednesday, remains at the heart of Orthodox liturgy.
In their own words
Lord, the woman fallen into many sins, recognizing Your divinity, rises to the rank of myrrh-bearer.
I hate silence when it is time to speak.
I hate the rich man moaning as if he were poor.
I hate the one who teaches knowing nothing.