Theophylact the Confessor

Holy Venerable Theophylact the Confessor, bishop of Nicomedia, lived at Constantinople in the eighth century, in the time of the iconoclast heresy, and departed to the Lord in exile around the year 845.

After the death of the iconoclast emperor Leo IV the Khazar (775-780), Constantine VI (780-797) came to the throne, and the patriarchs changed: the holy patriarch Paul (commemorated on 30 August), unable to shepherd his flock at a time when iconoclasm had grown strong, left the see of his own will (784). In his place was chosen Saint Tarasius (commemorated on 25 February), then the emperor's first counsellor. At the urging of the new patriarch the Seventh Ecumenical Council was convened (787), which condemned the iconoclast heresy. For the Orthodox, relatively peaceful times followed, and the monasteries began to fill again.

Theophylact, a devoted disciple of Saint Tarasius, withdrew with the patriarch's blessing, together with Saint Michael (commemorated on 23 May), to a monastery on the shore of the Black Sea. Zealous ascetics, they received from God the gift of working miracles through their God-⁠pleasing labours and their struggle of prayer. Once, in a time of great drought, when the reapers in the field were fainting with thirst, at their prayer an empty vessel began to yield so much water that it sufficed for the whole day.

After some years in the monastery both were ordained bishops by Patriarch Tarasius: Michael became bishop of Synada and Theophylact bishop of Nicomedia. Leading the Church of Nicomedia, Theophylact cared tirelessly for the flock entrusted to him. He built churches, hospitals and guest houses, gave alms generously, protected orphans, widows and the sick, and himself tended lepers, not shrinking from washing their wounds.

When the iconoclast Leo V the Armenian (813-820) took the imperial throne, the heresy flared up again with force. Not even the successor of Saint Tarasius, Saint Nicephorus (806-815, commemorated on 2 June), could move the emperor, though together with the bishops he tried to persuade him not to disturb the peace of the Church. Theophylact, who was present at the talks, rebuked the heretics and prophesied to Leo the Armenian a swift end. For this bold prophecy the hierarch was sent into exile, to the fortress of Strobilos in Asia Minor. There he languished for thirty years until his death, around 845.

After the restoration of the veneration of icons, in 847, in the time of the empress Saint Theodora (842-855, † 867, commemorated on 11 February) and her son Michael, the holy relics of Bishop Theophylact were carried to Nicomedia. He is commemorated on 21 March.