Nicarete

Nicarete (Νικαρέτη), ST., a lady of good fortune and family, born at Nicomedea, in Bithynia, was renowned for her piety and benevolence, and also for the numerous cures which her medical skill enabled her to perform gratuitously. She suffered great hardships during a sort of persecution that was carried on against the followers of St. Chrysostom after his expulsion from Constantinople, A.D. 404 (Sozomen, Hist. Eccles. 8:23; Nicephorus Callistus, Hist. Eccles. 13:25). She has been canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, and her memory is celebrated on December 27 (Martyr. Rom.). Bzovius (Nomencl. Sanctor. Profess. Med.), and after him C. B. Carpzovius (De Medecis ab Eccles. pro Sanctis habit.), think it possible that Nicaret, may be the: lady referred to by St. Chrysostom as having restored him to health by her medicines (Epist. ad Olymp. [4 vols.] 2:511, ed. Bened.), but this conjecture is founded on a faulty reading that is now amended. See Smith, Dict. of Greek and Roman Biog. and Mythol. s.v.; Ludlow, Woman's Work in the Church, p. 30.