Psellos' mother Theodote was now so weak as to need two maids to carry her to orthros, so she realised death was near. She wanted consecration as a nun, and this was confirmed by another nun at her convent, who saw in a dream a throne in heaven marked "Theodote" for her. Psellos witnessed Theodote's dedication to God, and she seemed so changed that he visited her less often. Thus he was absent when she died, calling for him twice by name. He was too far away to arrive before she resigned herself to death. He had a major role in her funeral, which was attended by large crowds, suggesting she was a holy woman (hosia), as confirmed to her mother by her spiritual advisor