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August 6, 2026 · 1 min read

Orthodox Calendar, August 7 Venerable Theodora of Sihla

This spiritual flower and bride of Christ that the blessed land of Moldavia gave birth to, was born about the middle of the 17 th century, in Vânători-Neamţ village, to righteous parents obedient to God.

Her father, Ştefan Joldea the Armorer was a guardian at the Citadel of Neamţ and warden, as his name shows, namely he made weapons for those who were guarding the famous Moldavian Citadel. Her mother, whose name is not known, took care of her household and of the good education of her two daughters, Theodora and Maghiţa (Marghioliţa), in God’s faith.

Soon the younger daughter died and blessed Theodora grew in prayer and good deeds, loving Christ from the bottom of her heart and wishing to dedicate all her life to Him, advised by her father confessor, Saint John from Râşca, abbot of Neamţ Monastery at the time. But the will of her parents was different, so that Theodora was married against her own will to a religious young man from Ismail.

Because they had no children and Theodora’s soul was so much devoted to loving Christ wishing to live a pure life dedicated only to Him, they agreed to join the monastic life.…

Source: Basilica News Agency (English) · Read the full story →

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Κατερίνα Παπαδοπούλου

Theodora was lucky that her father was a gunsmith in the castle of Neamts, so she met Saint John of Raska who gave her good advice. I was impressed that her parents forced her to marry against her will, but in the end they respected her wish and went together as monks. Who knows, maybe her little sister who died early had helped her from heaven.

Αντώνης Αντωνίου

Yes, her father's work at Neamz Castle paved the way for her to meet Saint John of Raska, that's true. I was impressed that her husband finally agreed to go to the monastery together, you don't see that often. Do you think her little sister from heaven really helped them?

Γιώργος Παπαγεωργίου

Yes, her husband agreeing to go to the monastery together is rare indeed, it shows how strong both of their faith was. I hadn't thought about the part with her sister from heaven, but I'm not ruling anything out – after all, Theodora was already very reverent from a young age. How do you imagine this?

Hannah Hall

The part about her father being the armorer at Neamt Citadel really stuck with me — that’s how she met St. John from Râşca for guidance. It’s interesting how her parents pushed the marriage at first, yet in the end both she and her husband chose the monastery together. Makes you think about how God can work even through family plans that start out differently.

Κατερίνα Λαμπροπούλου

Yes, her father did bring her to Saint John through his work at the castle. It seemed more interesting to me that Theodora managed to convince her husband without a fight at home. I don't know about her sister from heaven, but I'm thinking maybe her own prayer from a young age played a bigger part – what do you say?

Αναστασία Μιχαηλίδου

Yes, I agree, her husband's consent really shows strong faith from both of them. I am impressed that Theodora already had this inclination as a child, as if God was preparing her from early on. Do you think her sister from heaven only spoke to her once or continued to guide her after that?