The Basics: Died about 491 in Egypt; canonized precongregation; feast day, September 11. Penitent.
The Story: There are any number of stories of women who went on to become saints passing as men for great swathes of their lives. Many are difficult to document. One of the more believable accounts is that of Theodora of Alexandria, who lived in fifth-century Egypt. A young, beautiful, married woman, another man began to romance her and attempt to convince her that God could only see behavior that happened in the light. After she committed adultery, Theodora realized what she had done, and went and talked with an abbess friend to talk about 
what had happened. Theodora returned home, only to determine she could not face her husband with this grievous sin. She then successfully joined a monastery, dressed as a man.
In an interesting turn, at some later point, an abbot’s daughter gave birth to a boy, and Theodora was denounced as the child’s father and both were thrown out of the monastery. After living together outside the gates for a time, the little boy was allowed back inside, but Theodora was still banned. She wandered about in the desert for seven years before she was allowed back inside. She provided the child with instruction before dying, and it was not until her body was being prepared for burial that it was found she was in fact a woman.
What We Can Learn from Theodora: One wonders whether Theodora’s life would have been easier if she had confessed her sin to her husband. When she was unable to do so, the Lord still loved her and illumined a path of penitence and salvation. If there is something you are not yet able to take to the sacrament of penance and reconciliation, pray for the Lord to show you how you might find the same path.
Theodora’s Wisdom: “Oh, how good it would be, were it true that God did not know the sin which is committed in the night!”
To Learn More About Theodora: Theodora is also venerated in the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches. Learn more about her at an Orthodox church blogger’s site.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
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