Description

Feast Day/Commemorated: February 11

Early Life and Secret Piety

Holy Empress Theodora lived in the ninth century as the wife of the Byzantine emperor Theophilus the Iconoclast (829-842). Despite her husband's embrace of Iconoclasm, she secretly maintained her veneration for holy icons. This quiet defiance of the prevailing heresy in the imperial court underscored her deep personal piety and commitment to Orthodox tradition, setting the stage for her future role in the Church's history.

Regent and Restorer of Icons

Following the death of her husband, Emperor Theophilus, Theodora assumed regency of the Byzantine Empire due to her son Michael's minority. Leveraging her newfound authority, she convened a pivotal Council. This assembly definitively anathematized the Iconoclasts and boldly reinstated the veneration of holy icons throughout the empire. To commemorate this momentous triumph of Orthodoxy, Saint Theodora established its annual celebration on the first Sunday of Great Lent, a tradition that continues to this day as the Triumph of Orthodoxy. Her actions during this period were crucial for the Holy Church, and she diligently instilled a firm devotion to Orthodoxy in her son Michael.

Monastic Retreat and Peaceful Repose

Once her son Michael reached adulthood and assumed full imperial power, Empress Theodora voluntarily retired from governing. She spent the remaining eight years of her life in the monastery of Saint Euphrosynē. There, she dedicated herself entirely to ascetic struggles, embracing a life of prayer and spiritual discipline. She immersed herself in soul-nourishing books; a copy of the Gospels, notably copied in her own hand, is known to exist, reflecting her deep engagement with sacred texts. Saint Theodora peacefully reposed around the year 867. Her relics were later given to the people of Kerkyra (Corfu) by the Turks in 1460, continuing her revered presence among the faithful.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted Orthodox Christian icon reproductions made in the United States with prayer and a desire for excellence. Each of our icons are printed on museum-quality matte canvas, providing a rich print with saturated coloration that lends to a beautiful handwritten-icon appearance.

All Theophany Works Icons are mounted on beveled wooden boards and finished with a high-quality UV protection sealant. This offers a subtle authentic-feeling texture while also enhancing durability, allowing for cleaning with a damp cloth. Additionally, each icon is given a maple-shelled keyhole slot on its back for easy and balanced hanging.

Our beautiful icon reproductions are lovingly made in our Lancaster, Pennsylvania studio. We pray they are a blessing to all who receive them, and we believe they will be a beloved addition to any home or parish—each at a fraction of the cost of a hand-painted icon.

***Our Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ: Please allow 3 weeks for production as each icon is made to order. If an icon is needed sooner for a baptism, chrismation, wedding, or name day, please contact us—we will always do our very best to accommodate your request.

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