Synaxarion
By Venerable Gerasimos Mikragiannanitis
On the 11th of the same month, the commemoration of the Holy Venerable Martyr Theodora of the Peloponnese, who lies in the village of Vasta in Megalopolis, Arcadia.
Verses
As a gift, O Mother, you offered to God,
The labors of asceticism and the shedding of blood.
On the eleventh, ruthless men severed Theodora’s neck.
By Venerable Gerasimos Mikragiannanitis
On the 11th of the same month, the commemoration of the Holy Venerable Martyr Theodora of the Peloponnese, who lies in the village of Vasta in Megalopolis, Arcadia.
Verses
As a gift, O Mother, you offered to God,
The labors of asceticism and the shedding of blood.
On the eleventh, ruthless men severed Theodora’s neck.
This blessed woman came from the Peloponnese. She flourished in the ninth century and sprang forth from Messenia or Arcadia, the exact locality of her homeland being unknown. Her parents were poor and lived by their own labor, but were pious and faithful toward Christ our Lord, and besides the Saint they also had other children. Raised by them in the education and admonition of the Lord, and having become an example of decorum and good character, she discerned in a divinely-inspired mind that she should be espoused to Christ and came to embrace the monastic life in a monastery for men, not as a woman, but in male attire, as Theodore. The Monastery to which the blessed woman came, and which survives to this day, is called in the local dialect Panagitsa, and is situated in Upper Messenia, on the borders of Messenia and Arcadia, near the village of Monasteraki.
Having put on the sacred monastic habit, the blessed woman devoted herself with zeal to spiritual struggles and advanced in asceticism according to Christ, in humility that exalts, and in unquestioning obedience, by which self-will is put to death and the desires of the earthly mind within us are effaced. Shining forth in these things as Theodore, the Venerable One was judged worthy to serve the holy brotherhood in the work and services outside the Monastery. At that time, when famine had fallen upon the region, the Monastery also began to suffer from a lack of bread, and Theodore was sent out to remedy this need. For several days, he spent the nights in Christian homes. In one of these homes there was a young girl who, after several months had passed, was found to be pregnant, and she accused Theodore of being the one who had violated her. Then, at once, her family, stirred with great anger and fury, rushed to the Monastery; and laying hands upon Theodore, they brought him to trial, at which he was sentenced to be beheaded, on the grounds that he had violated their daughter.
With complete tranquility and peace of soul, the blessed Theodora accepted the terrible slander and the sentence of death, and thus covered the shame of the one who had committed the act. And when she was led to the place of death, she was taken near the village of Vasta, where, after praying, she had her head severed without arguing, crying out, or resisting, and ascended, bearing a lamp, to the heavenly bridal chambers. After her holy death, the executioner learned that she was a woman, and he was seized with great trembling, while those who had taken part in the murderous deed sought forgiveness in repentance. Her fellow monastics, together with the Abbot, having learned of this truly extraordinary event, hastened from the Monastery, mourning and weeping, yet at the same time marveling, and they gave the most honorable relic to holy burial at the place where she had been beheaded, where, later, the church dedicated to her was erected, which stands to this day.
It is said that before her beheading, the Saint asked the Lord that the hairs of her head become trees and her blood become a spring of water. This indeed came to pass, and it can still be seen to this day, to the glorification of the Saint by the Lord. Immediately after her head was severed, abundant water began to gush forth nearby, possessing healing power for those who receive it in faith. And on the roof of the small church that was established shortly thereafter, trees sprang forth, having no connection whatsoever with the ground beneath, but standing for centuries upon the roof, strong and verdant. According to some, certain impious people, acting irreverently, wished to harm them, but they received the recompense of their own irreverent audacity.
Apolytikion
Tone 4, "Tachy Prokatalave"
As a very precious gift and a rational offering, you offered your blood to Christ, the God who is over all, O most venerable one. Therefore, Venerable Martyr Theodora, entreat Him to grant remission of sins and salvation of souls to those who praise your divine contest.
Kontakion
Tone 2, "To ano ziton"
With streams of blood you reddened your garment, and from Christ you received the crown of life, O glorious Venerable Martyr Theodora; therefore we cry out to you: Do not cease to entreat for us, that we may have peace, propitiation, and mercy.
Oikos
Having disregarded the bounds of womanly nature, you changed your calling, your disposition, and your appearance, as one wounded by the holy eros of the Savior; and as a man you dwelt among the monastics, O ever-venerable Theodora. With a divinely inspired soul and a heavenly mind, striving manfully and kindling the fire against the principalities and powers of darkness, you endured the assault of grievous slander. And with a tranquil heart and perfect love, having accepted the unjust judgment, your head was severed, and you received from Christ a martyr’s crown. And now, do not cease to entreat for us, that we may have peace, propitiation, and mercy.
Megalynarion
Rejoice, Theodora, bride of Christ, Venerable One and Martyr, who mystically bestows the God-given portions of divine gifts upon those who approach your divine house in faith.
Tone 4, "Tachy Prokatalave"
As a very precious gift and a rational offering, you offered your blood to Christ, the God who is over all, O most venerable one. Therefore, Venerable Martyr Theodora, entreat Him to grant remission of sins and salvation of souls to those who praise your divine contest.
Kontakion
Tone 2, "To ano ziton"
With streams of blood you reddened your garment, and from Christ you received the crown of life, O glorious Venerable Martyr Theodora; therefore we cry out to you: Do not cease to entreat for us, that we may have peace, propitiation, and mercy.
Oikos
Having disregarded the bounds of womanly nature, you changed your calling, your disposition, and your appearance, as one wounded by the holy eros of the Savior; and as a man you dwelt among the monastics, O ever-venerable Theodora. With a divinely inspired soul and a heavenly mind, striving manfully and kindling the fire against the principalities and powers of darkness, you endured the assault of grievous slander. And with a tranquil heart and perfect love, having accepted the unjust judgment, your head was severed, and you received from Christ a martyr’s crown. And now, do not cease to entreat for us, that we may have peace, propitiation, and mercy.
Megalynarion
Rejoice, Theodora, bride of Christ, Venerable One and Martyr, who mystically bestows the God-given portions of divine gifts upon those who approach your divine house in faith.
