Death of Psellos' mother Theodote, recognised as a holy woman, mother of another holy woman

Summary:
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 
Dates:
1042 (Uncertain) 
devout elderly nun (Anonyma 2117)
  • She saw a vision of the hippodrome, with many thrones in the area near the imperial tribunal, gold and ivory thrones, one labelled “Theodote” for her in glittering black letters; she interpreted it so as not to make Theodote 2101 conceited (:) Psellos Mother 45-46
maternal grandmother of Michael Psellos (Anonyma 2118)
  • She was told by Anonymus 2140 that she was the mother both of a martyr and of a holy woman (:) Psellos Mother 50
spiritual adviser of Theodote, mother of Michael Psellos (Anonymus 2140)
  • He told Anonyma 2118 that she was the mother both of a martyr and of a holy woman (:) Psellos Mother 50
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • He witnessed Theodote 2101's dedication to God, and she seemed so changed that he visited her less often; so 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 (:) Psellos Mother 48-49
  • As soon he heard the news of her approaching death he came as fast as he could, but was too late; he mourned unconsolably over her body, making a formal lament (:) Psellos Mother 48-50
  • He had a major role in Theodote 2101's funeral, which was attended by large crowds, suggesting she was a holy woman (hosia); Anonymus 2140 told Theodote's mother, Anonyma 2118, that her daughter was a martyr and a holy woman (:) Psellos Mother 50-51
Theodote, mother of Michael Psellos (Theodote 2101)
  • She 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 Anonyma 2117, who saw a throne in heaven marked “Theodote” for her (:) Psellos Mother 45-46
  • Her consecration was carefully prepared and splendidly carried out; miraculously, as she came as bride to the groom, she seemed younger and more beautiful; finally she expressed the wish that Michael 61 would gain the same prize (:) Psellos Mother 46-47
  • Since she seemed transformed, Michael 61 visited less often, so he was not there when she died; she twice asked for him by name, then she resigned herself to departure from this life towards closer union with God Psellos Mother 47-48