8th century
Saint Theodosia of Constantinople
Nun of Constantinople martyred for defending the icons.
Biography
Theodosia came from Constantinople and became a nun at a young age, after selling her property and giving the proceeds to the poor. She lived an ascetic life in a monastery in the city under Emperor Leo III the Isaurian.
When Leo ordered the icon of Christ removed from the Chalke Gate, Theodosia led a group of women who resisted, pulling the official carrying out the order down from his ladder. She was arrested and taken to the Forum Bovis, where she was killed by having a horn driven through her neck, around 729-730. She became one of the most popular saints of Constantinople, especially invoked by the sick.