Theophano Martinakia

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Theophano, wife of Leo VI
)
Theophano Martinakia
Byzantine Empress consort
Tenure29 August 886 – 893
Died10 November 897
a monastery, Constantinople
(modern-day Istanbul, Turkey)
Burial
Church of the Holy Apostles, Constantinople
SpouseLeo VI the Wise
IssueEudokia Porphyrogenita
DynastyMartinakioi
FatherConstantine Martinakios

Theophano Martinakia (Greek: Θεοφανώ; 866/67 – 10 November 897) was a Byzantine empress by marriage to Leo VI the Wise. She is venerated as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Family

Born in c. 866/67, she was a daughter of

Amorian dynasty, which ruled the Byzantine Empire from 820 to 867.[1] A prophecy circulated at the time predicted that the family of Martinakios would come to rule the Byzantine Empire. In reaction Theophilos forced his kinsman Martinakes to become a monk and convert his personal house into a monastery.[2]

Empress

The chronicle of Symeon Metaphrastes places the marriage of Leo VI and Theophano in the sixteenth year of the reign of Basil I, that is, between September 882 and September 883.[3][4] The marriage was arranged by Basil I and forced on Leo VI. The poor relation of father and son may have played a part in the eventual failure of this marriage. Basil died on 29 August 886. Leo succeeded him to the throne and Theophano became his empress.

Symeon records Leo falling in love with Zoe Zaoutzaina in the third year of his reign (c. 889). Zoe became his mistress and replaced Theophano in his affections.[3]

Monastic life

Theophano and Leo VI, 18th-century painting.

In the seventh year of his reign (c. 893), Theophano retired to a monastery in the Blachernae suburb of Constantinople. Theophano is considered particularly devoted to the church throughout her life. Whether her retirement was voluntary is left vague by both Theophanes and Symeon. Zoe replaced her in the palace and court life.[3]

There is a contradiction on her particular status from c. 893 to 897. According to Symeon, the marriage of Leo VI to Theophano was officially void, allowing Leo and Zoe to marry within the year. According to Theophanes, the original marriage was still valid and Zoe remained the imperial mistress.

Death and canonization

Theophano died in her monastery on 10 November 897.

augusta
following the death of her predecessor.

Theophano was

tradition, it was Leo who expanded the celebration on the Sunday following Pentecost from a commemoration of All Martyrs to a general commemoration of All Saints, whether martyrs or not.[6]

Children

Leo VI and Theophano only had one daughter, Eudokia (after Eudokia Ingerina), who died young. Eudokia was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles along with her father and mother.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b PmbZ, Theophano (#28122)
  2. ISBN 978-90-04-10811-0
    .
  3. ^
    Bekker, Immanuel (1838). Theophanes continuatus: Ioannes Cameniata, Symeon Magister, Georgius monachus
    (in Latin). E. Weber. pp. 700–703.
  4. ^
    doi:10.3406/rebyz.1936.2854
    .
  5. ^ Synaxis of All Saints, Orthodox Church in America, 2010, retrieved 11 March 2008
  6. ISBN 0-943405-08-4
  7. ^ PmbZ, Eudokia (21755)

Sources

External links

Royal titles
Preceded by
Byzantine Empress consort

886–897 		Succeeded by
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