Theophano Martiniake was a 9th-century Byzantine empress and the first wife of Emperor Leo VI. Born in Constantinople to the noble Martinakios family, she was linked to the Amorian dynasty through her ancestry. Following her marriage to Leo, which was arranged by Basil I, she eventually withdrew from the imperial court to live in a monastery in the Blachernae suburb. She is remembered for her religious devotion and her status as a saint within the Eastern Orthodox tradition.
Life and marriage
Theophano married Leo VI between 882 and 883, becoming empress after his father, Basil I, passed away. Her marriage was marked by political arrangements and later by the emperor's affection for his mistress, Zoe Zaoutzaina. The couple had one daughter, Eudokia, who passed away at a young age. Around 893, Theophano retired to a monastery, leaving the court to Zoe.
Veneration and legacy
Following her death in 897, the Eastern Orthodox Church recognized her as a saint. Her feast day is observed on 16 December. After her passing, Leo VI attempted to build a church in her honor, but when prevented from doing so, he dedicated a church to All Saints. This decision helped establish the general commemoration of all saints during the Sunday after Pentecost.