Theodosia of Constantinople

Holy Virgin-Martyr Theodosia.

St. Theodosia was a nun of Constantinople who suffered in the eighth century, at the outbreak of the iconoclast persecution. When the emperor commanded the destruction of the revered icon of Christ above the Chalke Gate of the palace, tradition tells that Theodosia was among the faithful who rose to defend it, and for this she was seized and put to death, sealing her love for Christ with martyrdom.

She was long venerated in Constantinople as a protectress of the city and a helper of the sick. She is commemorated on May 29.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Theodosia of Constantinople is commemorated on May 29. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on June 11 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

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

Theodosia, Dosia

Also commemorated on May 29

• Theodosia of Tyre

  Holy Woman, Θεοδοσία η Παρθένος

  Virgin Martyr Theodosia of Tyre, drowned at Caesarea for her faith.

• Alexander of Alexandria

  Hierarch, Αλέξανδρος Αλεξανδρείας

  Saint Alexander, Patriarch of Alexandria, who first condemned Arius.

• Hypomone the Righteous

  Holy Woman, Υπομονή

  Venerable Hypomone, the Empress Helen Dragas, mother of the last Emperor of Constantinople.

  Name days: Ypomoni, Hypomone, Ipomoni, Ypomeni

• Fall of Constantinople

  Saint, Άλωσις της Κωνσταντινουπόλεως

  Memorial of the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453.

• John Nannos of Thessalonica

  Martyr, Ιωάννης ο Νάννος

  New Martyr John Nannos of Thessalonica, beheaded at Smyrna.

• Andreas Argentis

  Martyr, Ανδρέας ο Αργέντης

  New Martyr Andreas Argentis of Chios, beheaded in Constantinople.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.