In suffering opposition to the Roman Emperors and Heresy.
Theodore was born in Constantinople in 759. He was the oldest of 4 to his father Photeinos, an important financial official in the palace bureaucracy, and his wife, Theoktiste, who was herself, the offspring of a distinguished family. His uncle, Platon, was also an important official but became a monk, and entered the priesthood about the time of his birth. His family controlled most of the imperial finances.
From the age of 7 he was instructed by a private tutor and eventually concentrated on Theology.
When he was 22, his uncle came to visit and persuaded the family to take monastic vows. They transformed the family estate into a religious establishment and became known as the Sakkudion Monastery. Theodore was ordained and became abbot.
In 794, Emperor Constantine VI separated from his wife without due cause and married Theodore’s cousin with Joseph, a heretical priest of Hagia Sophia. Theodore protested, demanding excommunication of the priest and all who joined, including the emperor.
Troops were sent, the monastery was dispersed, and he was flogged and banished. Constantine was blinded and overthrown, while his mother became empress, and lifted the exile.
Joseph was stripped of his office, Theodore was received, and the monks returned. Empress Irene offered him leadership of the ancient Stoudios Monastery, which he accepted. He then built a library, scriptorium, and restored the church.
After several years, the Patriarch died, and Emperor Nikephoros chose a layman as replacement. Many protested, in particular Theodore and Platon, but they were jailed.
The emperor readmitted Joseph as priest, which was granted, but Theodore was unwilling to accept. Even after trying to reconcile, Theodore, his brother, and his uncle were again arrested. They were deemed schismatic and banished to the Princes’ Islands.
In 811, a new emperor, Michael I, reconciled with them and the monks, and the priest Joseph was defrocked. Conflict remained with the lay Patriarch, but Theodore continuously succeeded in his arguments.
A new emperor, Leo V, brought about even more turmoil by holding an Iconclast position. Theodore stayed fast and the Patriarch was banished but yet heresy remained. Theodore continued to fight with the assistance of the monastery but was once again exiled.
From Bithynia and Boneta fortresses he continued with a letter campaign that reached the Pope. When discovered by the emperor, he was found and tortured, and as a result, became quite ill. In 821, Leo V was murdered at the altar of the imperial church.
He returned because of Michael II, another new emperor, but the battle was not over. His years of exile, regular fasting, and exertions took their toll and at the age of 67, he died on November 11, 826 while celebrating Mass.
“For it is a commandment of the Lord not to be silent at a time when the Faith is in jeopardy. Speak, scripture says, and hold not they peace.”
His feast day is November 11.
For God’s Glory.



Stoudios Monastery


