Theodora of Corinth

Holy Martyr Theodora of Corinth is one of the women commemorated together with the Holy Martyr Leonides: Charissa (Charisse), Victoria (Nike), Galina, Calista (Callida), Nunechia, Basilissa, Theodora and Irene, and with the others who suffered with them.

Arrest

Leonides was born in the Peloponnese and was leader of a women's spiritual choir. In the persecution of Decius (about 250) the choir continued to sing hymns and prayers of thanksgiving. While the other Christians of the region hid and tried to avoid searches, the women, led by Leonides, were the only ones who openly confessed the Christian faith. All were arrested a few days before Pascha in the town of Troezen in Argolis and taken to Corinth, before the governor Venustus. Seated on a high throne, he promised Leonides glory and riches if he would sacrifice to the gods. Leonides answered calmly and with a smile that he had long since renounced falsehood and feared only for the governor, whose errors led to eternal death. The magistrate decided that the time had come for tortures. The saint said that, since he wished it, he might test his body with fire and see that, when the perishable flesh was injured, his soul would remain unharmed and rejoice in its speedy release from the bonds that held it in mortal existence.

Trial

Then the virgins were brought to the governor. He tried to convince them that their teacher had agreed to sacrifice in the pagan manner. Not deceived, they answered, "We too will offer sacrifice from all our heart to our Lord Jesus Christ." Seeing that he could not convince them, he ordered them shut in prison. Summoning Leonides again, the magistrate insisted that he obey the ruler. Leonides stood firm: what the Master of heaven and earth commands, he performs with reverence, but what the emperors command he performs only if it is right. Enraged, the governor ordered him flayed alive and his sides seared with torches. At this time he resumed the questioning of the seven virgins and asked whether they were of the same descent as Leonides. They answered that although they were of different descent and sex, they were one in faith and way of life. Venustus announced that they would be subjected to the same tortures. The executioners began to do so, but could obtain nothing from them. The saints said only, "We are Christians and ready to bear any suffering for Christ." So the magistrate decided to throw Leonides and his disciples into the sea.

Martyrdom and veneration

The martyrs were led along the shore, and Charissa sang, like Miriam the sister of Moses after the Red Sea swallowed Pharaoh's army. Her song was taken up by her companions. On Holy Saturday (19 April, according to a Patmos codex) they were put on a ship, where they continued to sing. When the ship had gone about six kilometres from shore, stones were tied to their necks and their hands bound behind their backs. Leonides was thrown into the sea first. Before the waves swallowed him, the saint said, "Today I receive a second baptism, for the cleansing of the inner man." Then the seven virgins were given to the waves. Later their bodies were found on the shore by pious Christians, and a great church consecrated the place of their burial. In 1917, after visions seen in sleep by many Christians of the region, the relics of eight martyrs were found, and many miracles attested their authenticity, and since then they have been the goal of mass pilgrimage. In recent archaeological excavations near Corinth the ruins of a great church dedicated to Saint Leonides have been found, as well as the ruins of a church built in their honour in Athens in the fifth century and another at Klafsion (Evrytania).

Theodora is commemorated on 23 March and on 29 April (new style).