The Nun Theodora of Soluneia
Commemorated on April 5
The Nun Theodora
of Soluneia was born of Christian parents, Anthony and Chrysantha, living
on the island of Aegina. At mature age Saint Theodora entered into marriage,
and soon gave birth to a daughter. During an invasion of the Saracens (823) the
young spouses moved away to the city of Soluneia (Thessalonika). Here Saint
Theodora dedicated her daughter to the service of God in a monastery, and after
the death of her husband she also accepted monasticism at this monastery.
By works of
obedience, fasting and prayer she so pleased God, that she received the gift of
wonderworking and worked miracles not only during her lifetime, but also upon
her death (+ 892). When the hegumeness of the monastery died, they wanted to
put her grave alongside the grave of the Nun Theodora. Then the nun, as though
alive, pushed herself beneathe the grave and vacated the spot for her
superiour, showing even after death an example in humility. From her relics
flowed myrh. When the Turks seized Soluneia in 1430, they hacked apart the holy
remains of the Nun Theodora.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.