Saint Theodora of Sihla, one of Romania’s greatest women ascetics, was born in the early 1600s in Vânători, Neamț County. Deeply affected by her sister’s tragic death, she longed for a monastic life, but her parents arranged her marriage. She and her husband later chose to enter monastic life separately—he became Hieromonk Eleutherios, and she became a nun at Poiana Mărului Skete.

Growing in prayer and asceticism, Theodora endured many temptations. When Turks invaded the Buzău Valley, she fled to the mountains with her spiritual mother, Schema-nun Paisia. After Paisia’s death, she was guided to Neamț and later to Mount Sihla by spiritual elders. There, she lived in seclusion for 30 years, devoting herself to prayer and surviving on herbs, rainwater, and, eventually, food brought by birds—similar to the Prophet Elias.

Her spiritual stature grew so great that she levitated during prayer, shone with divine light, and foretold her own death. Two monks, led by divine signs, found her shortly before her repose. She confessed, received Holy Communion, and peacefully passed away, saying, “Glory to God for all things.”

She was buried in her cave, which became a pilgrimage site. Her relics, later moved to Kiev, remained incorrupt and miraculous. Her husband lived nearby as a hermit until his death. The Romanian Orthodox Church glorified her as a saint on June 20, 1992.

Her scroll reads: “Life is blessed for those in the wilderness as they fly upon the wings of Divine love.”

Troparion — Tone 1

Leaving behind the things of this earth and taking up the yoke of a solitary, / you were made a bride of Christ, O blessed one. / Through fasting, vigil, and prayer / you were granted heavenly gifts and became like the angels. / You overcame human nature and moved to the heavenly places, / leaving us the consolation of your cave and of your holy relics. / Therefore, O holy and most venerable Mother Theodora, / entreat Christ our God to save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 3

Come, all of you who love Christ, with faith and piety to honor our righteous Mother Theodora, / who labored zealously in Sihla* hermitage and became a beacon of hermits. / Let us praise God and honor His righteous servants saying: / Rejoice, most venerable Mother Theodora, the spiritual flower of Moldavia.