The Empress Theodora and Her Attendants

Byzantine mosaicists (6th century) — c. 544–548 · Mosaic · San Vitale, Ravenna

“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” — Proverbs 31:30 (KJV)

About

Facing her husband across the sanctuary, the empress Theodora carries a golden chalice, her robe embroidered with the three Magi bringing their gifts to Christ. She never visited Ravenna; the mosaic set her in its worship forever.

The Meaning

The Magi on her hem say what the picture means: as the wise men brought gold to the child, so this queen brings her offering to Christ. The church remembered her not for her crown but for her gift.

For Us Today

Bring Christ your best — not the leftovers. God records the widow's two mites and the empress's chalice by the same measure: what the gift cost the giver (Mark 12:43–44).

Image: Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons — the file’s page. Tap the picture to open the full-size original there.