Theophilus the Confessor

Holy Venerable Theophilus the Confessor lived at the beginning of the eighth century and suffered for the veneration of the holy icons in the time of the iconoclast Emperor Leo the Isaurian (717-741). He is commemorated on 10 October.

He came from the region around Tiberias. At thirteen he secretly left his parents' home and went to the monastery on Mount Selenteia, where he grew spiritually under the guidance of the elder Saint Stephen. After three years he was tonsured a monk. When his parents learned where their son was, they came to the monastery and asked the abbot to send Theophilus, with several brethren, to found a new monastery closer to their home. The abbot ordered the monks to fast and pray in order to receive a sign. On the third day a voice was heard in the church blessing Theophilus to found a new monastery, for he would be renowned for many spiritual exploits.

During the iconoclast controversy, Theophilus rose openly against the iconoclast folly. At the emperor's order he was beaten and led bound through the city like a criminal. The emperor gave him into the charge of the official Hypatius, who tried repeatedly to compel him to renounce the holy icons. Theophilus remained steadfast; moreover, he convinced Hypatius, citing as proof of the rightness of icons the brass serpent set up by Moses (Num 21:9), the cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant and, finally, the Icon Not Made by Hands that the Saviour gave to Abgar, prince of Edessa (16 August). Persuaded, Hypatius obtained the emperor's permission to free the saint. The Confessor returned to his monastery. He lived only a short time longer, and, according to the OCA, fell asleep peacefully in the Lord in the year 716.