Venerable Theodora of Alexandria the Younger

Venerable Theodora lived a married life in Alexandria, but after being unfaithful to her husband, deeply repented of her sin. Secretly leaving her home and family, she dressed as a man and entered a men's monastery under the name of the monk Theodore, fearing to be recognized in a women's convent. She lived in the monastery for eight years, and even experienced monks marveled at her all-night vigils on bended knee, her humility, patience, and self-denial. Her secret was revealed only after her death. NOTE: sources also preserve a separate tradition of "Amma Theodora of Alexandria," a spiritual elder from the collection Apophthegmata Patrum (Sayings of the Desert Fathers); this may be the same person, but full identity has not been conclusively established.