Sergius the Confessor

Venerable Sergius the Confessor was the father of Saint Photius and the brother of Patriarch Tarasius of Constantinople (784-806), from a distinguished and pious family, and he died in exile for defending the holy icons in the time of the iconoclast emperor Theophilus (829-842). He is commemorated on 13 May.

Theophilus did not hesitate to include him in his persecution, with the monks and the heads of families. Sergius was denounced as a fervent defender of the holy icons and brought before the emperor, who tried by every means to change his mind, but in vain. Sergius said firmly that he could not please the emperor by betraying the Great King of all creation, Jesus Christ. Then Theophilus confiscated all his property and imprisoned him, then exiled him with his wife, Irene, and his children. Now poor, they bore many troubles, but did not repent; rather they were content to be tried and to suffer for Orthodoxy. Sergius died far from his wife and children, convinced that so it had to be and that his family was happy, since it had sufferings to show for the love of Christ the Saviour.