Agapetae
/ˌæɡəˈpiːtiː/noun
Women in early Christian communities who lived with male clergy or ascetics as spiritual companions, traditionally under a vow of chastity.
Did you know?Church authorities repeatedly condemned the Agapetae because spiritual companionship was believed to risk scandal, sexual temptation, or hidden relationships.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀγαπηταί (agapētai)
“Beloved women; feminine plural of agapētos, “beloved””
1st–3rd Century CE
Greek
ἀγαπηταί
“A term used among Christians for women regarded as spiritual companions or beloved members of the community”
4th Century CE
Late Latin
agapetae
“Women living in close spiritual association with clergy or ascetics”
4th–5th Century CE
Church Latin
agapetae
“A controversial class of celibate female companions, criticized in church writings”
17th Century
English
Agapetae
“A historical term for women associated with early Christian ascetics under vows of chastity”
Modern English
English
Agapetae
“Women in early Christian communities who lived as spiritual companions to male religious figures”