Hand painted Orthodox icon on wood, "Saint Theodora of Sihla", 20x26 cm

This hand-painted Orthodox icon on wood illustrates Saint Theodora of Sihla, the first Romanian woman to be canonized, commemorated each year on August 7. Original painting by Ana Drăgan, signed "DAM".

Saint Theodora of Sihla was born around 1650 in a devout family in the village of Vânători, Neamț. She was married against her will, but her intention to give herself over to God prevailed, and with her husband, they both took monastic vows.

Teodora joined the order of nuns at Vărzărești Skete (nowadays in Urechești county), where she lived in prayer and ascetic struggle. With turbulent times, she and her spiritual mother, schemanun Paisia, retreated to the mountains of Buzău. After Paisia's demise, Teodora lived for years in rigorous solitude, and then again returned to Moldova. By the blessing of the Neamț and Sihăstria abbots, she retired into the Sihla wilderness.

There she spent many years in prayer, fasting, and poverty, enduring cold, hunger, and temptations, but gaining God's forgiveness in the guise of tears, pure prayer, and the blessing of performing miracles. She was often aided in solitude by miraculous help, her life turning into a secret light in the desert.

Upon the completion of her earthly journey, by God's providence, she was discovered by Sihăstria monks who brought a priest to administer to her Communion. Receiving the Holy Mysteries, she peacefully surrendered her soul into God's hands around the year 1720.

Therefore, Saint Theodora remains an image of courage, patience, and burning love for Christ—a steppe wildflower whose eternal rest lay in the arms of the Heavenly Father.