Sainte Théodora (11 septembre) : l’impératrice byzantine qui sauva les icônes

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Le 11 septembre, l’Église fête Sainte Théodora, impératrice byzantine du IXᵉ siècle. D’origine modeste, elle épousa l’empereur Théophile, farouchement opposé au culte des images. Patiente et discrète durant son règne, elle resta fidèle à sa foi.

À la mort de son mari, Théodora devint régente et prit une décision historique : en 843, elle convoqua le concile de Constantinople qui rétablit solennellement le culte des saintes icônes. Cet événement, appelé la Victoire de l’Orthodoxie, marque encore aujourd’hui la mémoire de l’Église d’Orient.

Au-delà de cette victoire spirituelle, Théodora soutint les pauvres et protégea les moines. Elle finit ses jours dans un monastère, choisissant une vie humble de prière et de pénitence.

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00:00On this September 11, we honor the memory of Saint Theodora,

00:07a radiant figure of the Church who marked history with his deep faith,

00:13his courage and his commitment to the service of Christ.

00:18Other saints and blesseds are also commemorated on this day,

00:22but today we choose to focus on the life of this great saint.

00:26Born in the 8th century, Theodora lived in a troubled context,

00:33marked by deep tensions within the Byzantine Empire.

00:38At that time, the Church was divided over the issue of icons.

00:43Some wanted to destroy them, considering their veneration as idolatry,

00:48while others fervently defended the spiritual and theological value of holy images.

00:53Theodora, a woman of faith and intelligence, was to play a decisive role in this controversy.

01:03Wife of Emperor Theophilus, a fiercely iconoclastic ruler,

01:08Theodora remained discreet but faithful to her faith.

01:12She prayed in secret and passed on to her children the love of holy images,

01:17despite the severe prohibitions that weighed on it.

01:21She knew that by doing so she was risking her safety,

01:25but his heart belonged to Christ and the Church.

01:29It was in patience and silent fidelity that she demonstrated her attachment to the truth.

01:36Upon the death of her husband, Theodora took over the reigns of the Empire as regent,

01:40in the name of his young son Michael III.

01:42His first gesture was an act of great audacity and deep spiritual conviction.

01:49She convened a council in Constantinople in 843 to reestablish the cult of the Holy Icons.

01:56It was a resounding victory for orthodoxy.

02:00The date of this council was fixed for the first Sunday of Lent

02:03and to this day this day is celebrated in the Eastern Church as the feast of Orthodoxy,

02:09in memory of the victory of icon veneration over iconoclasm.

02:15Saint Theodora did not just restore the images.

02:19She ruled with wisdom and mercy, protecting the poor,

02:23favoring monks and supporting artisans who had suffered persecution.

02:29She showed exceptional courage,

02:31because she knew that many supporters of iconoclasm were angry with her.

02:34Yet she remained firm, for her strength came not from politics, but from her faith.

02:42Little by little, his son Michel took the reins of power.

02:45and Theodora withdrew from public life.

02:49She chose to end her days in prayer and penance,

02:52entering a monastery where she led a simple and humble existence

02:56after ruling an empire.

02:58She died there around the year 867, surrounded by esteem and veneration.

03:06The Byzantine Church proclaimed her a saint,

03:09seeing in her a courageous woman who had saved the Christian tradition

03:13by reestablishing the cult of icons.

03:16The testimony of Saint Theodora remains of burning relevance.

03:23She reminds us that faith sometimes requires patience and discretion,

03:26but also boldness and firmness at the right time.

03:32She embodies the quiet strength of those who abandon themselves to the will of God.

03:36and put their authority, power or talent at the service of the truth.

03:43Prayer to Saint Theodora

03:45Saint Theodora, you who kept the faith in the midst of storms

03:51and restored the beauty of the holy icons,

03:55intercede for us with the Lord.

03:58Help us to keep the light of truth in our hearts.

04:03Give us the courage to defend our faith without fear.

04:06and teach us to unite gentleness and firmness,

04:10patience and courage,

04:12humility and authority.

04:13May your example guide us on the path of Christ,

04:18today and always.

04:20Amen.

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