✝ Holy Right-Believing Empress Pulcheria
September 10 / September 23 (Julian Calendar)
On this day, September 10 according to the Julian Calendar (September 23 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Right-Believing Empress Pulcheria.
The pious Empress Pulcheria, daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Arcadius (395–408), was co-ruler and counsellor of her brother, Theodosius the Younger (408–450). A ruler of wide learning, she was distinguished by wisdom and piety and remained firmly devoted to the Orthodox faith. With her support the Third Ecumenical Council was convened at Ephesus in 431.
Through the intrigues of her enemies and of Eudocia, the wife of Emperor Theodosius, Pulcheria was removed from power. She withdrew into seclusion and gave herself to a God-pleasing life, but soon, because of the unrest that arose in the land, she returned to the imperial court at her brother’s request.
After the death of Theodosius the Younger, Emperor Marcian (450–457) ascended the throne. Saint Pulcheria wished to return once more to seclusion, but the emperor and the nobles begged her not to give up the government and to become Marcian’s wife. For the common good she agreed to this proposal, but on the condition that her virginity be preserved in marriage. Thus the empress lived in monastic purity.
Through the efforts of Saint Pulcheria the Fourth Ecumenical Council was convened at Chalcedon, which condemned the heresies of Dioscorus and Eutyches. At the end of her life the saint distributed all her possessions to the poor and to the Church, and in 453, at the age of fifty-four, she peacefully committed her soul to the Lord.
May the intercessions of the Holy Right-Believing Empress Pulcheria be with us all.