Theodora was the daughter of the sebastokrator John Petraliphas, governor of Thessaly and Macedonia. She was born at Servia sometime between 1224 and 1230, and married Michael II Komnenos Doukas, the ruler of Epirus and Thessaly shortly after his accession in 1231, while still a child.
Her life is known mostly from a short hagiography written by the monk Job, sometimes identified with the late-13th century cleric Job Iasites. In view of the many chronological and genealogical errors however, this identification is open to question. Living in poverty, she endured her hardship without complaint, sheltered by a priest from the village of Prinista.
Her exile lasted for five years, after which Michael repented and called her back to him.
The couple thereafter lived together. As consort of Epirus, Theodora is reported to have favoured closer ties with Epirus" traditional rival for the succession of the Byzantine imperial heritage, the Empire of Nicaea.
The rapprochement brought about a settlement of the two realms" ecclesiastical disputes and led to the conferment of the title of despotes on Michael, but did not last lougitude Theodora also founded the convent of Saint George in the Epirote capital, Arta, where she retired after Michael"s death, and where she was buried.
lieutenant later became known as the Church of Saint Theodora, and her tomb became the site of pilgrimage, as many miracles have been attributed to lieutenant
She is commemorated by the Orthodox Church on March 11. Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas, who succeeded Michael as ruler of Epirus
John Doukas
Demetrios Doukas Komnenos Koutroules
Helena Angelina Doukaina, who married Manfred of Sicily
Anna Komnene Doukaina.
