Venerable Theodora of Alexandria

According to her Life, Theodora was a married woman of Alexandria, who lived under Emperor Zeno (474–491). After she yielded once to a persuasive admirer, she repented bitterly, cut her hair, put on men's clothes and entered a monastery near the city as the monk Theodore. Sent on errands with camels, she was one day lodged at a neighbouring convent, where a girl accused "Theodore" of fathering her child.

Theodora did not defend herself and was driven out, taking the baby with her. She lived beside the monastery for seven years, raising the child, until the monks took her back. The Life tells that when she died the abbot learned from her body that she was a woman. Her husband, who had long sought her, was then brought to see her body.