Theoclita

Holy Venerable Theoclita the Wonderworker was born in the province of the Optimates in Asia Minor. Her parents, Constantine and Anastasia, were sincere Christians and brought her up from early childhood in piety. Married to Zacharias, she persuaded him to live together as brother and sister, so that she never knew the pleasures of the marriage bed and remained a virgin for ever.

Theoclita zealously read books of spiritual profit, and all her means, labour and strength she gave above all to the service of her neighbour. Her homeland gave her many occasions: the province of the Optimates (that is, of the chosen) had been named so in mockery. It was a very poor country, whose people, according to the emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus, were the attendants of officers and high court officials and the drivers of pack animals on the army's marches, and in poverty they were rough. In this country Saint Theoclita performed works of mercy. The Optimates, with their various needs, found in her an unfailing spring of consolation. The saint did not tire of the labour of serving others and was not offended by human ingratitude, but helped each one with love and joy.

By deeds of self-⁠sacrificing love she rose so high in the spiritual life that, when the time of her departure drew near, she announced to her acquaintances the day of her death and the circumstances that would follow it. After her death her relics were glorified by many miracles. Her works of mercy were performed in the time of the emperor Theophilus, so that her death is placed in the first half of the ninth century.

She is commemorated on 3 September. She is not included in the present calendar of the Russian Church.