Theodora of Arta

From OrthodoxWiki
Revision as of 08:33, March 5, 2008 by Ixthis888 (talk | contribs) (I have looked for as much info as I can ... just needs an edit clean up - im finished.)
Jump to: navigation, search

The life of the holy empress, St. Theodora of Arta and all Epiros, was the wife of Michael II Komnenos Doukas (reigned 1231 - 1267-68). She is commemorated by the Church on March 11.

Life

There is no doubt that Theodora is as much a historical figure as she is a saint of the church. It is estimated that Theodora was born ca. 1225 as Theodora Dukaina Petraliphaina. She married Michael II Komnenos Dukas Notho Angelos shortly after he became ruler of Epiros ca. 1231 (an illegal age by our standards and possibly even the Byzantium standards) and through this marriage they had six children, including Anna (Agnes) Komnenodukaina, Lady of Kalamata and Clermont, who married Prince Guillaume II de Villehardouin of Achaea and then Nicholas II of Saint-Omer, Lord of Achaia.

Her Orthodox story commences when she entered monasticism after being widowed ca. 1267 or 1268. She is closely associated to St. Athanasia of Aegina and St. Theodora of Thessalonike; and like St. Matrona of Chios, Thomais of Lesbos and St. Mary the Younger she suffered abuse at the hands of her husband.

She founded a convent in Arta and her attributes are described by her iconographer as ascetical and charitable.

Theodora forenew the time of her death and her tomb attracted popular veneration soon after her death and continues to do so to this present day.

See also

Source