Theodore of Kythira

Holy Venerable Theodore of Kythira, a deacon, lived in the tenth century, in the time of the Byzantine Emperor Romanus (the calendar page gives the years 919 to 948), and was a native of the town of Koroni in the Peloponnese.

From childhood he studied Holy Scripture zealously, and after his parents died an old friend of his parents, a priest of Nauplia, took him under his protection. When Theodore grew up he married and had two children. The bishop of Argos, noting his worth, ordained him deacon, after which Theodore went to Rome and visited the holy places there. Then he returned to Monemvasia, where he stayed for some time. Longing for the knowledge of higher spiritual goods, despite the pleading of his family, he withdrew to Kythira. There he led an ascetic life and advanced greatly in it. After his death many miracles were shown.

He is commemorated on 25 May, according to the Greek tradition. His name is not included in the present Menologion of the Russian Church.