When discussing Saint Theodora , most individuals are referring to the rags-to-riches story of the prostitute-come-empress, and spouse of Justinian I , who labored to advertise ladies rights within the sixth century. However, a number of Theodora’s have been canonized all through historical past.

Within the southern Greek Peloponnese, Saint Theodora refers to a Christian Mulan-like determine, who spawned epic folks tales attributable to her selfless story of martyrdom. Legend has it that her household lived close to Vastas, which on the time was a part of the Byzantine Empire .

In a single model of the story, Saint Theodora lived within the eleventh century, at a time when all households had been obliged to pay a tax or ship a male to combat for the empire. Being from a humble background, Theodora determined enlist within the military herself beneath the identify Theodore, to save lots of her father from having to go to conflict.

In her manly disguise, she turned often known as a fearless soldier. Accused of impregnating a promiscuous girl, and never desirous to reveal her secret, Theodora was sentenced to demise for bringing dishonor to her regiment by refusing to marry the lady.

In response to the Greek City Times , the legend of Theodora of Vasta has been confused with that of Theodora of Alexandria. It claims that Theodora of Vasta truly lived within the tenth century and that the brave younger lady dressed like a man and was killed whereas combating to guard Vasta from bandits.

In any case, each variations finish the identical. As she lay dying, Theodora stated: “Let my physique turn out to be a church, my hair a forest of trees, and my blood a spring to water them.” On realizing her true id, locals constructed a church to commemorate her heroism.

The miracle church of Saint Theodora in Peloponnese, southern Greece. The roof of the church is roofed in big oak bushes, seemingly with none roots. ( gatsi / Adobe Inventory)

This tiny stone church nonetheless exists in the present day, measuring about 4 by 7 meters (13 by 23 ft), and attracts pilgrims from throughout the globe. Often called the “miracle church,” the Church of Agia Theodora of Vasta is famed for the 17 massive oak trees, with a mean peak of 8 meters (26 ft), which have spontaneously sprouted from its roof. What makes this so outstanding is that they’ve seemingly grown with none hint of roots.

That the construction hasn’t collapsed beneath the load is mind-blowing, and for lots of of years the miracle church of Saint Theodora of Vasta has been deemed a mystifying thriller. A geophysical report , in search of solutions with a purpose to help with restoration makes an attempt, put an finish to the riddle.

By utilizing georadar and electrical tomography, the research considerably debunked the legend of Theodora of Vasta’s church when it concluded that the tree roots of had truly discovered their approach by the stonemasonry partitions to succeed in underground water under the construction.

Prime picture: Representational picture of Saint Theodora of Vasta. Supply: Francis Valadj / Adobe Inventory

By Cecilia Bogaard