The life of Saint Theodora of Arta

Theodora Petraliphaina was the daughter of the sebastokrator John Petraliphas, governor of Thessaly and Macedonia. The English Wikipedia gives her birth as about 1225 in the lead and 1210–1216 in the section on her life, so the date is uncertain.

Marriage and hardship

Around 1231, still a child, she married Michael II Komnenos Doukas, ruler of Epirus and Thessaly. Michael later banished her from court to live with his mistress and she lived in poverty, sheltered by a priest from Prinista, for about five years. Then he recalled her and they lived together afterwards. They had six children, including Nikephoros I, who succeeded his father, and Helena, who married Manfred of Sicily.

Political role and monastery

She favoured closer ties with the Empire of Nicaea and accompanied her son Nikephoros to his betrothal and marriage to Maria, daughter of Theodore II Laskaris. This brought Michael the title of despotes, but the rapprochement did not last. After Michael's death she retired to the convent of Saint George in Arta, which she had founded and which later became the church of Saint Theodora.

Death and cult

She died after 1270. She was buried in Arta and her tomb became a pilgrimage site with many miracles. She is the patron saint of the town and is commemorated on 11 March.