The character of bishops' wives in the early church

[Olympiada]

Has anything been preserved in writing about the character of any of the bishop's wives when the church still had that practice?

[Michael Stickles]

The only one I know of offhand is Saint Nonna (http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/August/05-04.htm), wife of Saint Gregory the Elder of Nazianzus. Saint Gregory was converted through his wife Nonna's prayers, and became Bishop of Nazianzus soon after his conversion (St. Nonna was also appointed deaconess). I have read that there is some reason to believe that their son St. Gregory the Theologian was born after his father's promotion to the office of Bishop. Sts. Gregory and Nonna reposed in 374. The linked article has some descriptions of her character.

Mike

[Irene]

Saint Nonna

August 18 (August 5 old calendar)

The mother of St. Gregory the Theologian, she was a Christian and a mighty wonderworker through prayer. By her prayers, she brought her husband back from the folly of idolatry to the Christian faith, and he later became bishop of the city of Nazianzus. By her prayers, St. Nonna also saved her son, Gregory the Theologian, from a storm. She entered peacefully into rest as a deaconess in 374.
www.fatheralexander.org