Theodora of Vasta

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

St. Theodora of Vasta lived in the Peloponnese in the Byzantine period and, tradition relates, disguised herself as a man to serve as a soldier in place of her aged father. Falsely accused and condemned, she prayed that her body might become a church, her hair trees and her blood a spring, and was put to death.

At Vasta in Arcadia a small chapel dedicated to her bears seventeen large trees growing from its roof, with a spring beneath, and is a place of pilgrimage. She is commemorated on September 11.

Feast day

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

Also commemorated on September 11

• 

  Theodora of Alexandria

  Holy Woman, Θεοδώρα

  Venerable Theodora of Alexandria.

  Name days: Theodora, Dora, Thea, Theodori

• 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.

• 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.