Theodora of Alexandria

Venerable Theodora of Alexandria.

St. Theodora of Alexandria lived in the fifth century. Having fallen into sin, she was seized with deep repentance and, disguising herself in men's clothing, entered a monastery under the name of the monk Theodore, where she labored for years in humility, obedience, and secret tears, patiently bearing even false accusation.

Only after her repose was her identity revealed, and the brethren marveled at the depth of her repentance. She is honored as a model of contrition and hidden struggle, and is commemorated on September 11.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Theodora of Alexandria is commemorated on September 11. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on September 24 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Theodora, Dora, Thea, Theodori

Also commemorated on September 11

• Euphrosynos the Cook

  Venerable, Ευφρόσυνος ο Μάγειρας

  Venerable Euphrosynos the Cook, humble monk who was shown in Paradise.

  Name days: Euphrosynos, Efrosynos, Efrosinos, Evfrosinos

• Demetrios, Evanthia and Demetrianos of Skepsis

  Martyr, Δημήτριος, Ευανθία και Δημητριανός

  Holy Martyrs Demetrios, his wife Evanthia and their son Demetrianos of Skepsis.

  Name days: Evanthia, Evanthea, Evanthie

• Diodoros, Diomedes and Didymos

  Martyr, Διόδωρος, Διομήδης και Δίδυμος

  Holy Martyrs Diodoros, Diomedes and Didymos of Laodicea.

• Theodora of Vasta

  Holy Woman, Θεοδώρα της Βάστας

  Holy Martyr Theodora of Vasta in Arcadia, whose chapel bears trees on its roof.

• Elias the Cave-dweller and Arsenios

  Venerable, Ηλίας ο Σπηλαιώτης και Αρσένιος

  Venerable Elias the Cave-dweller of Calabria and his disciple Arsenios.

• Ia of Persia and the 9,000 with her

  Holy Woman, Ία

  Holy Martyr Ia of Persia and the many Christians martyred with her.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.