An Encomium: The Life of Saint Theodora
I am currently in the process of writing an encomium about the life of Saint Theodora the Empress. Seeing as today, the fourteenth of November, is the day of her commemoration, (along with her husband Justinian) I wish to share some things that I've discovered, as well as give a reflection concerning why her life is so relevant to us today.
In case you're not familiar with her story, Empress Theodora was born into the lowest classes of Byzantium, the daughter of a bear trainer in the year 497 and grew up in the outskirts of the capital. Her father died when she was about five, and her mother was left a widow with three daughters all under the age of seven. At some point in her growing up years, Theodora became an actress (a lowly and scandalous profession) in order to help support her family. Whether this was her decision or forced by her mother's hand is unclear; but I like to believe it's the former. Theodora is described as a girl who "was extremely clever and had a biting wit" and was portrayed as strong minded and independant. Her profession as an actress turned into prostitution until she was a young woman of about sixteen. At this time, she had traveled to Alexandria and converted to Christianity and Monophysitism, believing that Christ was of fully divine nature. She renounced her old ways of life and moved back to Byzantium to make a humble living as a wool spinner. Some years later, she met the heir to the throne Justinian who became utterly smitten with her. However, the laws at that time forbade him to marry a former actress. But love knows no obstacles, and when Justinian's aunt (who was completely against the match) died, his uncle repealed the law before passing away himself, and Justinian became emperor and Theodora his wife and empress. At some point, Theodora repented of her former Monophysitism and converted to Orthodoxy like her husband, but this did not stop her from helping to lift the persecution of Monophysites in the Empire.
Theodora and Justinian were renowned for being political and intellectual equals; Theodora was co-ruler of the Byzantine Empire, and used her time and power in ways that surely are what have earned her her sainthood. She was a valiant and sagacious leader, and was successful in changing the lives of women in her empire. Having resounding empathy for those in her former position, she had laws passed that forbade forced prostitution, and she opened safe houses for ex-prostitutes and gave them alternative means to support themselves. She expanded the rights of women in divorce cases and succeeded in giving them basic property rights across the empire, as well as abolishing a law that said that women who committed adultery would be put to death. Some argue that this is because she was in favor of the act of infidelity; but those who venerate Theodora as a saint (including many scholars) instead regard her achievements for women not as a modern feminist "liberation" to commit adultery but rather as a truly just drive to give women the same legal rights as men.
This is the belief I have chosen. Stop to imagine, if you will, a world where you have zero legal rights, meaning that others will kill you for betraying your spouse, you can be forced into sexual professions against your will, and given no rights in legal cases. Now imagine having the ability to change all of this and to bring goodness and mercy into the lives of countless others. Would you do so? Theodora chose this option, making her a truly virtuous and admirable woman and historical figure, despite her early life and career.
Her husband Justinian loved her dearly, and the two ruled wisely for years. One of the most famous stories of their rule is that of the Nika Riot. Two charioteer teams, essentially early political parties, had violent animosity between them. Justinian punished them with equal harshness by having the two ringleaders put to death, which led the two parties to unite for the first time and riot against the emperor. Justinian panicked and to flee the capital and call on the support of army units. However, Theodora refused to give into so cowardly an act. “If you, my lord,” she told him, "wish to save your skin, you will have no difficulty in doing so. We are rich, there is the sea, there too are our ships. But consider first whether, when you reach safety, you will regret that you did not choose death in preference. As for me, I stand by the ancient saying: the purple is the noblest winding-sheet."
Justinian's role in all this is not to be delegitimized. In Malala Yousafzai's Nobel Peace Prize speech, she says this, "Thank you to my father for not clipping my wings and for letting me fly." This is one hundred percent applicable to Theodora and Justinian. He had such respect and love for his wife, and such recognition for her intellect, that he did not rein her in and give her a lesser position. He crowned her his equal in all things, and ultimately saw her as an icon of Christ, treating her with goodness and love.
In our world now, please keep Saint Theodora and Justinian in mind and ask for their prayers. As we wrestle with our personal veiws and world changes, seek kindness and equality, and seek to overcome evil, let us reflect upon the lives of these saints of the Church. Holy Saints Theodora and Justinian, pray for us.
-Faeli Heise
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