They had settled in Constantinople, probably at the start of the reign of Basil I the Macedonian (r. 867–886), who called her father along with other Armenian grandees to enter his service.
Nikephoros distinguished himself in the 894–896 war against the Bulgarians, and was rewarded with a posting (probably as commander) to the division (tourma) of Bizye.
Mary vehemently denied these allegations, but Nikephoros posted a guard at her room and tortured her maidservant, Agathe, for interrogation.
[3] She appeared posthumously in many peoples' dreams and performed miracles by curing the sick and attacking invading soldiers.
Though it was controversial at first, her husband ultimately built her a cathedral to house her corpse, which became the site of pilgrimage for many in the region who heard of her miracles.
[1] From a strictly religious perspective, Mary the Younger was steadfast in her faith to God, even through times of struggle.
One of the men who underestimated her was the Bishop of Bizye, who did not believe that a woman who died in a married state could perform miracles the way that a man could.