Virgin empress of the Eastern Roman Empire. Born in 399; died in 453. Eldest daughter of the Emperor Arcadius. In 414 she was proclaimed Augusta by the senate and for 10 years ruled jointly with her younger brother. At his death, she married the general Marcian, but preserved her vow of virginity, and shortly afterwards had him proclaimed Augustus. A strong opponent of Nestorianism, she secured the condemnation of the Nestorian and Eutychian heresies. By bringing the bones of Saint John Chrysostom to Constantinople she accomplished the reconciliation of the schismatic party of the Johannines with the Church. Emblem: a lily. Feast, September 10,.