2,026
edits
Changes
m
no edit summary
[[Image:0312theophanes.jpg|thumb|Right|Icon of St Theophanes the Confessor]] [[Saint]] '''Theophanes the [[Confessor]]''' was born in 759 at [[Constantinople]] into a pious and renowned family. His father was a relative of the Byzantine emperor Leo the Isaurian (717-741). Three years after Theophanes was born, his father died, leaving his family under the care of the emperor himself.
Theophanes grew up at the court and became a dignitary under the emperor Leo IV the Khazar (775-780). His position obliged him to enter into [[marriage]], but he persuaded his bride to live with him in virginity.
After the death of his parents, Theophanes and his wife visited [[Monastery|monasteries]] in the Sygrian district (Asia Minor), . There Theophanes met the Elder Gregory Stratitios, who predicted to Theophanes' wife that her husband would earn the crown of [[Martyr|martyrdom]].
Later the wife of Theophanes was tonsured [[tonsure]]d a [[nun]] in one of the monasteries in Bithynia, and Theophanes went to a monastery in the Cyzicus region. With the blessing of his Elderelder, Theophanes founded the Kalonymon monastery Monastery on an island in the Sea of Marmara and secluded himself in his cell, transcribing books. Theophanes attained a high degree of skill in this occupation.
Later, St Theophanes founded another monastery in Sygria, at a place called the "Big Settlement,", and became its [[igumen]]. He participated in all the work of the monastery, and was an example to all in his love for work and [[asceticism|ascetical ]] effort. He received from the Lord the gift of wonderworking, healing the sick, and casting out demons.
The [[Seventh Ecumenical Council ]] met in Nicea in 787, which condemned to condemn the [[heresy]] of [[Iconoclasmiconoclasm]]. St Theophanes was also invited to the Councilcouncil. He arrived dressed in his tattered garments, but he revealed his wisdom in affirming the veneration of the holy [[icon]]s.
At the age of fifty, St Theophanes fell grievously ill , and he suffered terribly until the day he died. Even on his deathbed, the saint continued to work. He wrote his CHRONOGRAPHIA''Chronographia'', a history of the Christian [[Church]] covering from the years 285-813. This work has remained an invaluable source for the history of the Church.
During the reign of the emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820), when the saint was advanced in age, the Iconoclast iconoclast heresy returned. They Its leaders demanded that St Theophanes accept the heresy, but he firmly refused and was locked up in prison. His "Big Settlement" monastery Monastery was put to the torch. The holy confessor died in 818 after twenty-three days in prison.
After the death of the impious emperor Leo the Armenian, the "Big Settlement" monastery Monastery was restored , and the [[relics]] of the holy confessor were transferred there.
==Source==