Theodora of Alexandria

Theodora of Alexandria was a saint and Desert Mother who was married to a prefect of Egypt. In order to perform penance for a sin she committed, she disguised herself as a man and joined a monastery in Thebaid. Her true identity as a woman was discovered only after her death.[3]

Saint Theodora of Alexandria
Miniature of St. Theodora in the Menologion of Basil II (11c.)
Venerated in	Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church[1]
Feast	11 Parmouti (Coptic Christianity)[2] 11 September

A rare image of Theodora in Western art is a print by Bernardino Capitelli, made in 1627 for Theodora Costa dal Pozzo, showing St Theodora of Alexandria disguised as a monk and caring for the child that she was accused of fathering (Vienna: Graphische Sammlung Albertina).[4]

References

1. http://www.boston-catholic-journal.com/roman-martrylogy-in-english/roman-martyrology-september-in-english.htm#September_11th
2. http://www.copticchurch.net/synaxarium/8_11.html#1
3. Delaney, John J. (15 March 2005). Dictionary of Saints. Random House Digital, Inc. p. 590. ISBN 978-0-385-51520-7. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
4. Bonaccorso, Patrizia (1985). Bernardino Capitelli, 1589-1639. Siena: Edisiena. pp. 32–38.