Theodora of Arta

Saint Theodora, Queen of Arta, patroness of the city.

St. Theodora was born of the noble Petraliphas family in the thirteenth century and married Michael II Doukas, Despot of Epirus. Slandered and driven from the court by a rival, she endured years of exile with patience until her husband repented and restored her; she then used her position to found churches and monasteries and to care for the poor.

After Michael's death she entered the monastery of St. George in Arta, where she reposed in peace. Her relics rest in the church that now bears her name, and she is the patroness of Arta. Her memory is kept on March 11.

Feast day

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

Who celebrates a name day

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

Theodora

Also commemorated on March 11

• 

  Sophronios of Jerusalem

  Hierarch, Σωφρόνιος

  Patriarch of Jerusalem.

  Name days: Sofronios

• Pionios and Sabina

  Hierarch, Πιόνιος

  Hieromartyr Pionios, presbyter of Smyrna, with the martyr Sabina and companions.

  Name days: Pionios, Sabina

• George the Newly-Appeared

  Venerable, Γεώργιος ο Νεοφανής

  Venerable George the Newly-Appeared of Diipion in Constantinople.

• Trophimos and Thallos

  Martyr, Τρόφιμος

  Holy Martyrs Trophimos and Thallos of Laodicea.

• Euthymios of Novgorod

  Hierarch, Ευθύμιος του Νόβγκοροντ

  Saint Euthymios the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Novgorod.

• Sophronios of Vratsa

  Hierarch, Σωφρόνιος Βράτσης

  Saint Sophronios, Bishop of Vratsa, teacher and enlightener of Bulgaria.