Theophanu (Greek: Θεοφανώ Σκλήραινα, Theophano Skleraina; c. 955 – June 15, 991), also spelled Theophania (Θεοφάνια), Theophana or Theophano, was the niece of the Byzantine Emperor John I Tzimiskes. By her marriage with Holy Roman Emperor Otto II, she was Empress consort of the Holy Roman Empire and held regency as Empress dowager upon her husband's death in 983. Her name is derived from Medieval Greek Theophaneia (Θεοφάνεια), "appearance of God" (Theophany).
According to the marriage certificate issued on 14 April 972—a masterpiece of the Ottonian Renaissance—Theophanu is identified as the neptis (niece or granddaughter) of Emperor John I Tzimiskes (925–976) who was of Armenian descent. She was nevertheless of distinguished noble heritage: the Vita Mahthildis identifies her as augusti de palatio and the Annales Magdeburgenses describe her as Grecam illustrem imperatoriae stirpi proximam, ingenio facundam. Recent research tends to concur that she was most probably the daughter of Tzimiskes' brother-in-law (from his first marriage) Constantine Skleros (c. 920–989), and of Sophia Phokaina, who was Tzimiskes' cousin as the daughter of Kouropalatēs Leo Phokas, brother of Emperor Nikephoros II (c. 912–969).
Like a single grain of sand moving with the tide
No one knows I'm here wouldn't matter if I died
Out of control lost on my way searching and dying more each day
Bridge
Trying as hard as I can
Won't someone hold out their hand
I feel so strange in this land
But if you ask me I'm fine
Chorus
I can't go on
I've always had to be by myself
I'm on the phone
I just need somebody's help (X2)
Time is running out tired of not having rest
Can't go on like this forever maybe death is best
Tell me what it's all about, you love me, well that I really doubt
Told me a story of a man with scars in His feet and hands
Can take me away from this land