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The Life of St. Theodora
Saint Theodora (commonly known as St. Teodora de la Sihla) was born in the first half of the seventeenth century in the village of Vânători-Neamț in Western Moldavia. She was one of the two daughters of Stephen Joldea and his wife.
At a young age, Saint Theodora’s sister, Marghiolitsa, tragically passed away, deeply affecting her and her family. This led her to consider leaving the world and repenting on behalf of her family, her sister, and herself. Her grieving parents disagreed and arranged for her to marry. After struggling with infertility, Theodora and her husband both decided to enter monastic life. Her husband, Eleutherius, became a priest, and Saint Theodora received the monastic tonsure at Poiana Mărului Skete. She quickly grew in prayer and asceticism, gaining the grace of unceasing prayer, while facing many temptations.
She endured many Turkish attacks, fleeing with her spiritual mother, Schemanun Paisia, into the Buzău mountains. After her spiritual mother passed away, God led her to the Neamț Mountains. There, she venerated the icon of the Mother of God and was advised by Hieromonk Barsanuphius of Sihăstria Skete, who gave her Holy Communion and assigned Father Paul as her spiritual guide for her life in the wilderness.
An old hermit under the cliffs of Sihla welcomed them, telling Saint Theodora to stay in his cell as he moved. Father Paul left her on Mount Sihla, blessing her before returning to Sihăstria Skete. Saint Theodora spent thirty years there, serving God. With divine strength, she overcame all temptations through patience and humility, never leaving the mountain, seeing only Father Paul when he visited to bring her the Eucharist and supplies.
Saint Theodora became so strong in her faith that she would pray all night with her arms raised to heaven. When the sun rose, she ate herbs and plants to break her fast. She drank rainwater collected in a channel, known as Saint Theodora’s spring. After Father Paul passed away, she relied completely on God’s care.
When the Turks attacked nearby villages and monasteries, many people fled to the woods, including refugees from the monasteries. Some nuns found Saint Theodora’s cell, and she invited them to stay, saying, “I have another place of refuge.” She then moved to a cave, where she lived alone. At night, she rested on the flagstones, which can still be seen today. Eventually, the Turks found the cave and were about to kill her. She prayed, “O Lord, deliver me from these murderers,” and the wall of the cave opened, allowing her to escape into the woods.
As Saint Theodora grew old, she was forgotten and had no one to care for her. She trusted in God and continued her spiritual efforts, reaching great levels of holiness. When she prayed, her mind rose to heaven, and her body lifted off the ground. Like the great saints, her face shone, and a flame came from her mouth while praying.
Her clothes became rags, and when she ran out of food, birds fed her, just like the Prophet Elias. The bread they brought came from the Sihăstria Skete. The monks at the Skete noticed the birds and sent two monks to follow them. They lost their way in the woods and decided to pray. One climbed a tree and saw a light in the distance. They went toward it and found a woman shining with light, levitating as she prayed.
Saint Theodora spoke to them, saying, “Do not be afraid, I am a servant of Christ. Give me something to wear, as I am naked.” She then asked them to bring Father Anthony and Hierodeacon Laurence with Holy Communion, as it was almost time for her to die. She told them to follow a light to the Skete.
The next morning, Father Anthony and the monks found Saint Theodora praying by a fir tree. She confessed her life to him, received Holy Communion, and reposed, saying, “Glory to God for all things.” They buried her in the cave with great respect.
Word spread of her death, and many came to venerate her tomb. Her body remained incorrupt, and many miracles happened. People who asked for her intercession, touched her relics, or washed in her spring were healed.
Her former husband, Hieromonk Eleutherios, came to the cave after hearing of her passing. Grieving over his beloved wife, he stayed in a small cell below her grave, fasting, praying, and serving the Divine Liturgy for ten years before he, too, fell asleep in the Lord. He was buried in the hermits’ cemetery, and the Skete of Saint John the Baptist was built over his grave.
She is commemorated on August 7 and known as the greatest of Romania’s holy ascetics.
The inscription of Saint Theodora’s scroll reads: “Life is blessed for those in the wilderness as they fly upon the wings of Divine love” (Sunday Matins, Hymn of Degrees, first Antiphon).
How can St. Theodora Intercede for us?
Saint Theodora lived the majority of her life in solitude surrounded by the wilderness. She endured trials of temptation from the evil one and devoted herself to a life of prayer and love for Christ, filling any void she might have felt in that solitude. We can ask for help to deepen our own spiritual life and to overcome any struggles we are battling. We can also ask for her intercessions for peace and comfort in our loneliest times and to fill the voids that distance us from Christ, along with finding peace in only the presence of God.
She is also known for miraculous healing of physical, emotional, and spiritual struggles by praying for intercessions and even touching her relics, which are now located in Kiev.
Discussion Questions
- St. Theodora’s life was deeply shaped by the grief of losing her sister. How have moments of loss or hardship influenced your own spiritual journey? In what ways do you think grief can draw us closer to God or help us grow in faith?
- St. Theodora spent years in solitude, facing various trials in the wilderness. How do you respond to solitude in your own life? What is challenging about solitude for you? How can you use periods of solitude to deepen your relationship with God?
- In her final moments, St. Theodora expressed gratitude for everything. How can we embody the same spirit of thankfulness in our own lives, especially during times of hardship or uncertainty? How does gratitude help to transform our perspective on life’s challenges and blessings?
Learn her troparion
Tone 1
Leaving behind the things of this earth and taking up the yoke of a solitary, you were made a bride of Christ, O blessed one. Through fasting, vigil, and prayer you were granted heavenly gifts and became like the angels. You overcame human nature and moved to the heavenly places, leaving us the consolation of your cave and of your holy relics. Therefore, O holy and most venerable Mother Theodora, entreat Christ Our God to save our souls.
Pray to her
St. Theodora, you embraced a life of devoted trust in God’s will, finding grace in simplicity and prayerful solitude in His presence. Pray for us that we may have the courage to live with the same deep faith and dedication, seeking God in all things. By your intercession, may we always remain faithful to Christ and never forget His love. Amen.
The post There’s a Saint for That: St. Theodora of Sihla appeared first on Orthodox Christian Fellowship – OCF.
