Theophilus of Tiberiopolis

Holy Venerable Theophilus of Tiberiopolis, a confessor, was born near the city of Tiberiopolis and confessed the veneration of the holy icons in the time of the iconoclast emperor Leo the Isaurian (717-741). He died in peace in the monastery that he had founded.

At the age of thirteen Theophilus left home secretly for the Lavra on Mount Selention, where he grew spiritually under the guidance of the elder Stephen. After three years he was tonsured a monk. Learning where their son was, his parents came to the monastery and asked the abbot to release Theophilus, with a few brothers, so as to found a new monastery closer to their home. The abbot ordered all the monks to fast and pray to receive a sign. On the third day a voice was heard in the church blessing the departure of Theophilus, for he was to be glorified by many labours in the new monastery.

Then came the days of the iconoclast emperor Leo the Isaurian. Theophilus openly raised his voice against the iconoclast error. By the emperor's command he was beaten and led bound through the city like a criminal. Then the emperor handed him over to his official Hypatius, who tried with all his might to make him renounce the holy icons but could not move him. On the contrary, Theophilus persuaded Hypatius himself: he brought as proof the bronze serpent lifted up by Moses, the cherubim set above the Ark of the Covenant and finally the fact that the Saviour Himself gave to Abgar, ruler of Edessa, His image not made by hands. Enlightened by this conversation, Hypatius obtained from the emperor leave to free the saint. The confessor returned to the monastery he had founded, lived there a short time and departed in peace to the Lord.

Saint Theophilus is commemorated on 23 October.