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Major Christian Sainths
Adrian & Natalia ( M )
He lived in the 4th Century at Nicomedia 60
miles from Istanbul. Adrian was an imperial officer of the Roman Empire at
Nicomedia. During the severe persecutions of Christians under the Emperor
Diocletian, he was so much impressed by the sufferings of Christians, he
converted to Christian and declared that in the public. He was thrown into
jail by the Roman Soldiers. His young Christian wife, Natalia visited him
in the jail and maintained the communication. And, when Adrian was
sentenced to death, no visitor was allowed to see him in the prison. But,
Natalia bribed her way in to ask his prayers for her in the Heaven. When
Adrian was cut limb by limb and put on fire with some other Christian
martyrs, the rain put out the fire and, and the remains from his body were
gathered by Christians and buried at a town " Argyropolis " on the
Bosphorus. Later, Natalia went to that town, taking with her a hand of her
husband which she had recovered from the execution. After her death, her
body was buried among the other martyrs from Nicomedia.
Alexis
( S )
The tradition says that Alexius whose name
is uncertain, was the son of a wealthy Roman citizen, and on his wedding
day, he left his bride and went to live in poverty in Southeastern Turkey.
He had made his living by begging and shared the alms he received with
other poor people. It is almost certain that he died in a hospital at
Edessa in southeastern Turkey in about 430 AD. This must have some truth
that the city Edessa had a large hospital. By the 14th Century, he was
made the patron of the nursing society called " Alexian Brothers ". There
are some other versions of his life, written by the Latin Authors, however
the above must be the one closest to his true story.
Aquila
( S )
He was born at Sinope on the Black Sea
coast, thus called Aquila of Pontus. He translated the Old Testament into
Greek language in an extremely literal form that most of the Jews of his
time preferred his work to the Septuagint version.
Athanasius ( B )
Athanasius was born at Trabzon on the Black
Sea Coast of Turkey in the 10th C. After serving as a teacher in the
Imperial city Constantinople, he joined Mount Kyminias Monastery in the
Bithynia Region of Asia Minor. Later in c. 958 he went to Mount Athos in
Greece that was a popular place for hermits. But by that time hermits of
Mt. Athos lived in isolation and away from community life. Athanasius was
the first, with financial aids from the Emperor Nicephorus II to build a
monastery there and gather the hermits under the roof of that monastery.
At the beginning, Athanasius received so much opposition from hermits, and
took years to establish his authority there with the help of Another
Emperor, John Tzimisces. The monastery built by Athanasius and dedicated
in c.963 is still there and known as " Lavra " " The Monastery ".
Unfortunately, the church that Athanasius built also became his the cause
of death, and killed by falling masonry when the cupola of his church fell
in.
Barbara ( M )
St. Barbara, as told in different versions,
was one of the earliest Christians whose father was a Roman Governor at
Nicomedia in Western Asia Minor. The told is that she was imprisoned in a
tower with two windows, to prevent her marriage or - in another version,
because she was a Christian - She had workers add an extra window to the
tower, making a total of three, a reference to the Trinity. Upon her
father's curious question about the windows, she answered, " Know, my
father, that through these windows my soul receive the light - the Father,
the Son and the Holy Ghost, and three are one. Her father furious at her
answer beheaded her own daughter right there and was himself was struck by
a lightning and his body turned ashes. So, she became the patron saint of
Gunners, Miners, with a reference from her father's fate. A Tower is
emblem for St. Barbara.
Barnabas ( S )
Barnabas as described in the Acts ( XI, 24
), " a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith ", though he
wasn't one of the twelve apostles, his contributions to the Christianity
was great. He was the one who accompanied St. Paul on his First Journey.
He was for almost sure, was born as a Jew in Cyprus. His activity area was
Antioch where there was a growing church. Apparently, he served the
growing Christian centers for a long time, as late as the letter to
Corinthians was written by St. Paul. The tradition says, he was martyred
at Salamis, the port town in Cyprus. He was the author of the "Epistle of
Barnabas ".
Basil
the Great ( S B )
One of the most notable personalities of
the Christian History. He was born at Caeserea ( modern Kayseri, Turkey )
into an old Christian family with strong and long tradition. His family
members were too distinctive Christians of the religious history, his
grand mother Macrina the elder, his father Basil the great, his mother
Emmelia, his brothers Gregory of Nyssa, and Peter of Sebatea are all among
the saints of early Christian history. He received his education at big
metropolitan centers of Caeserea, Constantinople and Athens. During these
years of his education, he met Gregory of Nazianus, and established a well
relationship with him. He had a chance to visit the principal monastic
centers in the Pontus area, and became a monk there. Actually, St. Basil
didn't stay long with his own community. But his influence on the
foundation of monastic centers of Cappadocia was vast, and making him as
the founder of the Monastic life. Even today's monastic life of the
Orthodox church is still based on the principles established by him. He
was made bishop of Caeserea in 370.As a bishop, he had to deal with the
emperor Valens the supporter of Arians a sect whom St. Basil rejected
their beliefs, and only two years after his death the Arianism was over.
He was a strong personality to say the emperor, " Perhaps, you have never
before had to deal with a proper bishop ". His great contribution to his
community was that a large complex he built in Cappadocia area, which
included a church, hospice, hospital, rock dwellings where number of
doctors, nurses, staff and artists were employed. We can understand that
he was the beloved saint of Cappadocians, as a big crowd wept at his
funeral. What is known about St. Basil comes from his own letters and
sermons, and for sure accurate. After a s relatively short life, he died
at his home city Caeserea in 379. Today, Cappadocia area has many churches
that bear his name. His close connections with Gregory of Nazianus and his
younger brother Gregory of Nyssa came to describe these three saints of
Cappadocia as " Church Fathers ".
Carpus
and Papylus ( M B )
Both were martyred at Pergamum c. 170.
Carpus was the bishop of Gordion in Phrygia region of Turkey, and also
Gordion was the King Midas' city. Papylus was the bishop of Thyatira, one
of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Because of
their beliefs, both bishops were brought together before the Roman
governor of Pergamum , and asked to sacrifice to the Roman Gods. Upon
their refusal, they were both thrown on the fire and burned alive. At the
same time, a mother who was a Christian, was said by the officials not to
make her children motherless because of her faith, she replied " the God
will look after them ", and shared the same fate with Carpus and Papylus.
Daniel
the Stylite ( S )
He was born in Maratha in Syria in c. 409.
He was the best known disciple of St. Simeon the Stylite, ( Stylite means
pillar in Greek ). Until his 42, he was a monk at near his home, and
visited St. Simeon on his pillar at Telassinus. He then relocated to a
hermitage near Constantinople, and after the death of St. Simeon, started
his own way of life. The platform on which Daniel lived, had two conjoined
pillars, a reference to St. Simeon and St. Daniel the Stylites. He was
often consulted by the emperors Leo I and Zeno and also by the patriarchs
of Constantinople. He was believed by the local to have healing powers,
and crowds brought their sick to be cured and prayed over. Daniel appears
as uncomplicated man, because he gave practical advise and preached
sermons in a simple language and directed towards the point. He live to an
advanced age of 84 and buried after his death at the foot of his Pillar in
Constantinople.
Dorothy ( M )
The story of Dorothy comes from Oral
tradition rather than historical. She was born in Caeserea of Cappadocia,
and when she was a young girl, she was arrested by the Roman Soldiers and
sentenced to death during the emperor Diocletian's severe persecutions. As
she was taken to the execution place, a lawyer named Theophilius mocked
her, asking to send him flowers and fruit from the heavenly garden.
Miraculously, a boy appeared to him with a basket full of apples and
flowers which Dorothy sent to Theophilus. Being shocked by this miracle,
Theophilius converted to a Christian, and shared the same fate as Dorothy.
The emblem of Dorothy is a basket.
Ephraem ( S )
Ephraem an important theologian and poet to
whom we owe many hymns and religious songs, was born at Nisibis c. 306 and
spent much of his life at Edessa ( modern Urfa, Turkey ) where he founded
a famous theological school and died there c. 373. Ephraem's reputation
comes from his writings and in particular his hymns for singing, which
carry a didactic character and are directed against the false doctrines.
Most of his songs were composed in Syriac which was his mother tongue, and
still being read in Syrian Churches. His reputation even spread to the
Western World, and the English hymns " Receive, O Lord, in heaven above "
and " Virgin, wholly marvelous ", are all translated from St. Ephraem's
Syriac language hymns. He wrote many commentaries in a personalized way on
the books of the Bible. His language, even if he wrote as a theologian,
had a poet character. His works still hold an important place in the
Syrian Churches. He was proclaimed by Pope Benedict XV in 1920, a doctor
of the Church.
Euphemia ( S )
Born at Chalcedon in c.307, on the opposite
bank of the Bosphorus from Constantinople where the council meeting was
held in 451. There are many references about her life, and also many
places that claim to be the home for Euphemia. However, Chalcedon must be
the most possible one as a church was built and dedicated to her there
from very early times. Although, many stories have been told about her, it
is hard to identify which one is her true story. All we know that she was
probably martyred by having been thrown to the wild beasts during the
emperor Diocletian's persecutions.
Euphrasia ( S )
Euphrasia was a nun, and born in Cappadocia
in c.382, and died in Egypt in c. 412. She and her widowed mother moved
down to Tabbenisi, in Egypt. While they were, she was left by her mother,
with some dedicated women and Euphrasia spent the rest of her life with
these women. Upon her mother's death, she broke off her engagement ( she
was engaged with the son of a senator )and gave all the property away to
poor people, that she had inherited, and isolated herself from the public.
Eusebius of
Nicomedia ( B )
Eusebius was born in Palestine in c. 263.
He was the first to attempt a history of the church on a comprehensive
scale. He made his way from place to place, trying to avoid persecutions
and witnessed many martyrdoms, was himself imprisoned because of his faith.
But, Constantine's decree that made Christianity official religion of the
state, was the turning point in his life. First, he was made the bishop of
Caeserea in Palestine, and later became a close friend of Constantine. His
political and theological ideas helped to create Christian Byzantine
Empire. His works " Chronicles " and " Church History " are invaluable
source of information about the development of early Christianity. Of
course, Eusebius wasn't the first to write the history of Christianity,
but what makes his works special is that they are all complete.
Euthymius the Younger ( S )
He was born near Ancyra ( modern Ankara )
in Galatia c. 824. Only after a year of his marriage he left his wife and
baby, and went to Mt. Olympus in Bithynia ( modern Bursa ) to become a
monk there. At the beginning he was happy there, but the rivalry between
Ignatius of Constantinople and Photius disturbed this community here and
Euthymius removed to Mt. Athos. He lived alone in a cave for three years,
later he moved to a tower near Salonika, but had to leave it, because the
curious crowds cam to hear his preaches. He re-founded a monastery at
Peristera near Salonika, and only after this church was firmly in
operation, he returned to Mt. Athos for a solitude life. He is known for
his miraculous and super natural powers.
Flavian of Constantinople ( M B )
He was one of the most unfortunate among
the bishops of the Christian history. His birth place is unknown but we
know that he died at Hypepe in Lydia western Asia Minor c. 449. Flavian
was made archbishop of Constantinople in 446, but his position lasted only
for three years and ended with his tragic death in a prison. His trouble
began, when he degraded Euthyces from the priesthood because of his false
teaching about the nature of Christ. Euthyces appealed to St. Leo the Pope
and complained about what had been done to himself. St. Leo the Pope
addressed a letter to Flavian to set out orthodox doctrine on the subject
matter, later this letter came to be known as " Tome of Leo ". The Emperor
Theodisius II called a council meeting at Ephesus in 449, under the
presidency of Dioscorus the archbishop of Alexandria. But, the proceedings
of the council was so disorderly that Pope Leo labeled this council
meeting " the Robber Band ". Dioscorus supported Euthyces against Flavian,
and soon after this meeting Flavian was deposed and exiled to Hypepe in
Lydia and died right after his imprisonment. He was called a martyr, based
on his death was direct result of his bad treatment by the Byzantine
soldiers. St. Flavian was vindicated at the Chalcedon council meeting held
in 451, and his body was brought back to Constantinople by St. Pulcheria.
Forty
Martyrs of Sebastea ( M )
This tragic story took place when the
emperor Licinius commanded all Christians to repudiate their religion,
forty soldiers of the twelfth legion ( thunder struck ), refused that.
They were of different nationalities and at that time camped at Sebastea (
modern Sivas, Turkey ). All attempts to win them over failed and the
commander of the army ordered that they should be stripped naked and
herded on a frozen pond and kept there until they change their minds. To
help break down their resistance, a fire was burned and warm baths
prepared around the pond. By the next day, almost all of them were dead
frozen, those who were not were killed, including Melito the youngest of
soldiers who was encouraged by his widowed mother to the very last. Only
one of the forty failed in the ordeal, and was replaced by another soldier
who declared himself a Christian.
George St. ( S M )
He is one the most popular saints in the
Christian History. St. George is the patron of the Kingdom of England, of
soldiers, and of numerous churches throughout the world. Despite his
popularity, the information about his life is very limited. One of his
widespread stories says he was a soldier saint and tortured and martyred
at Nicomedia, during the emperor Diocletian's persecutions. Also the story
from the book Golden Legend describes him as a Knight from Cappadocia. The
legend told about him has gained so much popularity in the East, that
people painted this legend on the church walls, especially in the
Cappadocia Province. The Legend says, at the town Silene, now part of
Libya was a dragon killing and eating people, upon hearing that the next
meal was the daughter of the King, George flew down there, slain the
dragon and saved the beloved daughter of the King.
Gerasimus ( S )
He was born in Lycia, southwest Asia Minor,
in the 5th C. He was the abbot of a local Christian community, he left his
home in Asia Minor to visit local monks in the desert in Egypt, and on the
way back settled near the Dead Sea in Palestine. Being theologically away
from the proper course , he was put back on the right path by St.
Euthymius the Great, and two became close friends. He established a
communal monastery near by Jericho that attracted many disciples and monks.
A lion is the symbol of St. Gerasimus.
Germanus of Constantinople ( B )
His birth place is obscure, but for sure he
died at Platonium. He was upgraded from the see of Cyzicus ( modern Gemlik
), a town on the Sea of Marmara to be the patriarch of Constantinople in
715, and 11 years later Emperor Leo III, published the first edict against
the veneration of sacred images, that was the beginning of iconoclastic
period. Germanus firmly opposed this edict and wrote in a letter " When we
show reverence to representations of Jesus Christ, we don't worship that
paint laid on wood, we just worship the invisible God in spirit and in
truth ". In 730, he was deposed and soon after he died in retirement at a
very advanced age . A few of his works have survived to our day, among his
works are six homilies on the Virgin Mary and some hymns, including the
one translated as " A great and mighty wonder, A full and holy cure ".
Gregory of Nazianus ( S )
The great Theologian of the fourth Century
was born at Arianzus, central Turkey in c. 329 and died near this town c.
389. He is one of the Church Fathers, and an active person in the
Christian History. He received a good education at Athens along with his
friend St. Basil. Contrary to his will to be a simple monk at a monastery,
he was always given important missions and posts which he rejected some of
them. When he was appointed by St. Basil, the bishop of Sasima, he chose
to stay as assistant to St. Basil, rather than take this post. While he
was at a Monastery at Seleucia, he accepted the job offered to him to be
the bishop of Constantinople. On the other hand, this job was really hard
one, as the Arians had a strong presence in Constantinople, because
Arianism was long supported by some of the emperors, particularly by
Valens. Then, Valens just died, but Arians were still powerful, so Gregory
had to place his altar in the home of a friend, and called it Anastasis "
the Resurrection ". Gregory's anastatis altar was attacked and stoned by
Arians at the eve of Easter. Only after 1 1/2 years of this incident, he
was led in triumph by the Orthodox emperor Theodisius to his throne in St.
Sophia. Upon complaints from some jealous bishops, he was called to defend
himself at the council meeting. Too proud to fight for his position as a
bishop, he retired to his home town Nazianus in Cappadocia and spent the
rest of his life in peace. His eloquent preaching did so much to end the
Arianism in the Country.
Gregory of Nyssa ( S B )
St. Gregory of Nyssa is one the greatest
theologians. He was born at Caeserea c.335 and the younger brother of St.
Basil. Gregory was married to Theosebia, who was also a good Christian
Lady. Until he was invited by St. Gregory of Nazianus to devote his
abilities as a rhetoric teacher to the church, Gregory didn't take a part
in church affairs. Later, his brother St. Basil appointed him as the
bishop of Nyssa, however St. Basil complained about his easy-going
behavior. And finally he was left out of his position for two years,
because of his wasting the church property. After Basil's death in 379, we
see Gregory back on the stage as a strong opponent of Arianism, and he was
proclaimed to be the Pillar of Orthodoxy by the general council that met
at Constantinople in 381. His works are extant that include " On the Soul
and the Resurrection ", which is a dialogue between him and his sister St.
Macrina, and another one " Against Fate ". One of his letters complains
about the abuse of religious pilgrimage to the holy lands.
Gregory of Sinai ( S )
He was born at Smyrna ( modern Izmir ) in
c.1290 and died in 1346 at the monastery he built on the Black Sea coast
in Bulgaria. Driven away from Selcuk raids, he went to join the monastery
at Mt. Sinai, where had some disagreements with local monks, and left
there and went to Crete where he learned mental prayer from another Monk.
When he went to Mt. Athos, he was disappointed with the inhabitants who
knew little about true contemplation. As he was prepared to teach his
ideas to locals, another raid on the area drove him away from Athos. This
time, he went to build a monastery near the town Sozopol on the Black Sea
coast, and he spent the rest of his life there and died there.
Gregory the Enlightener ( B )
He was born in Armenia c. 240 and died
there in c. 326. His title the e Enlightener comes from the idea that he
brought the light of Jesus Christ to Armenia and its people. The story
says he comes from a Parthian family and his father had murdered King
Khosrov I of Armenia, and the baby Gregory, for safety reasons, was taken
to Caeserea in Cappadocia. He was baptized and raised up there, and had
two sons from his marriage. He was chosen as bishop of Caeserea, and spent
the rest of his life preaching and organizing the church in Armenia.
Despite he had suffered a lot from the King Tirdates, eventually Gregory
was the one who converted this King to Christianity. Before his death, he
appointed his son the chief bishop of Armenian church, and died in
solitary.
Helena the Empress ( S )
Helena the mother of Constantine the great
was born at Drepanum ( Helenopolis ), ( modern Izmit, Turkey ). The
Emperor Constantius Chlorus took her as his wife and their son Constantine
was born to them in 274. Constantius, probably for the reason that Helena
became a Christian, repudiated his wife in 292. After his son Constantine
the great has become emperor and tolerated Christianity in his empire,
Helena devoted herself to the promotion of the new official religion of
the state. The records say that she had made a long visit to the Holy Land,
and found the pieces of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ suffered to
his death, and brought these pieces with her back to Constantinople. She
is also known that she has raised funds to build more churches and help
the poor people. Even her position as a saint is still in question.
Ignatius of Antioch ( M B )
Where he was born is unknown, but for sure,
he was martyred at Rome in c. 108. What is known about his life and ideas
comes from the seven letters he wrote to the Christian communities of Asia
Minor, on his way to Rome to be executed there. He was one of the earliest
bishops, and probably the second bishop of Antioch. He stopped at Smyrna
on his way and had chance to meet St. Polycarp. The first four of his
letters were addressed to the Christians of Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles and
Rome, then of Lystra, and before crossing over into Europe, to the
Christians at Philadelphia, Smyrna and the last one, a farewell letter to
the St. Polycarp. Ignatius believed that he possessed the Holy Spirit's
Gift of Prophecy, though he considered himself lower in rank than the
Apostles. His enthusiastic and strong will to be a martyr came true,
before he was thrown onto the beasts at Coliseum, he begged the Christians
of Rome not to move to prevent his execution. His strong argument based on
that there should be only one bishop for each congregation to prevent the
splits in the church and to make sure that the correct and original
beliefs were preserved.
Ignatius of Constantinople ( B )
He was born at Constantinople and died
there. Ignatius was the oldest son of the Emperor Michael I who ruled the
Byzantine Empire from 811 to 813 when he was exiled to Proti. By that
time, Ignatius was castrated so that he could never succeed to the throne.
When he was of age, he became a monk, and his superior qualifications and
personality made him a leader in the monastic community. When Theodora
ruled as Regent during the first year of Michael III the sot's reign,
appointed Ignatius Patriarch of Constantinople. However, when Michael came
on the throne, deposed Ignatius and made Photius Patriarch of
Constantinople, the reason being that was that Ignatius' criticism of the
emperor and his court about their misbehaviors and scandals. Ignatius was
first exiled to his monastery on Terebinthos ( modern Sedef ) island off
the Asian Shores of Constantinople. Later, he was dragged from one prison
to another and humiliated and subjected to inhuman tortures. Widespread
reaction from the public at this treatment of St. Ignatius forced the
emperor Michael to allow him to return to his Monastery at Terebinthos.
The time was working in favor of St. Ignatius. Basil I murdered Michael
and usurped the throne in 867 and restored St. Ignatius as Patriarch of
the City. He maintained this position until his death in 877, and his body
was brought back to his monastery at Terebinthos and buried there.
Irenaeus ( S B )
The great theologian and one of the most
important figures of the second century. He was born at Smyrna (modern
Izmir, Turkey) in c. 130 and died at Lyons in c. 202. St. Polycarp the
bishop of Smyrna influenced young Irenaeus strongly, and he said "
Polycarp's teachings are not on the paper but in my heart ". The emperor
Marcus Aurelius' persecutions forced Irenaeus to leave Asia Minor, and he
went to Lyons. As he was on his way back from a mission to Rome, he
succeeded St. Pothinius as Bishop of Lyons. His principal work is about
the false teachings of Gnostics.
Joannicius ( S )
Joannicius was born in Bithynia in c. 754
and died at Antidium c. 846. After being in the service as a soldier of
the Byzantine Army, he left the service to become a monk and hermit at the
age forty on the mount Olympus near Prussia (modern Bursa, Turkey). While
he was at a monastery near Bursa, second iconoclastic movement came in
818, although Joannicius earlier supported the iconoclasts, but this time
we see him as a strong opponent of them. He was a respected saint along
with other saints of his time, and on occasions consulted by St. Theodore
the Studite and St. Methodius of Constantinople.
John
Chrysostomos ( S B )
John Chrysostomos was born at Antioch in c.
345, and died in exile at Comana in Pontus area c. 407. John Chrysostom
was one the greatest Christian preachers. He was born to a wealthy family,
his father was a general officer in the Roman army. But his mother Anthusa
was left a widow at the age twenty with baby John. He was raised as a
Christian boy by his mother, though he was baptized at the age of eighteen.
He was intended to be a lawyer and a student of Libanius the famous Pagan
orator who also provided financial aid for John's mother. He became a
regular attendant at the church and a good reader. However, when he lived
in a cave alone for his ascetic devotion, that almost ruined his health.
No returning to his home city was chosen a deacon in 381, later somewhat
after 386, he was the preacher at the principal church of Antioch where he
built his reputation as a disciplined preacher. In 397 John was made
bishop of Constantinople against his will and he refused this position
until 398 when he came to the city and accepted his title.
John
the Evangelist and Apostle ( S B )
St. John's birth place is unknown, but for
sure he died at Ephesus c. 98 AD. He and his brother St. James the Greater
were the active apostles of Jesus Christ. He and his brother were
fishermen of Galilee and the fishing miracle of Jesus caused these young
brothers converted to Christianity. St. John and St. Peter were the
apostles chosen by Jesus to witness his transfiguration and agony in
Gethsamene. St. John, again was the first to run to the tomb on the
morning of Resurrection, and see the tomb empty, and the risen Jesus near
the Sea of Tiberias. Also tradition relates St. John to " the disciple
whom Jesus loved " who leaned on Jesus' breast at the last supper. Also we
know that Jesus, before he gave his soul on the cross, trusted his mother
Mary to St. John, thereafter St. John and Mary had come to the
cosmopolitan center of Ephesus. St. Paul describes St. John and St. Peter
as the pillars of the church in Jerusalem, a reference probably because of
their strong faith. Later, St. John was exiled to the island
Patmos
by the Roman governor, because he was
preaching the word of the Lord, and also the little island
Patmos
was the place where he had written his "Book
of Revelation" in which he addressed to the seven churches of Asia Minor.
The fourth of the Gospels and three epistles of the Bible and the Book of
Revelation are his works that came to us. St. John was the only apostle
who died of natural causes, at a very advanced age, he was close to his
100 when he died. The Christian community of Ephesus built a small grave
for him, which was replaced by one of the largest Cathedrals of Asia Minor,
built by Justinian the Great in the 6th C, whose remains are still visible
today in Ephesus area.
Julian of Antioch ( M )
Julian of Antioch, or Julian of Anazarbus (
his home town near Adana, modern Turkey ), is said to have been tied in a
sack and thrown into the sea and drowned there. Antioch ( modern Antakya,
Turkey) claimed to have the relics and St. John Chrysostom of
Constantinople preached in his honor there.
Justin Martyr ( S M )
Justin was a convert from Pagan religion.
Later he became one of the most prominent apologists of his times in the
2nd C.. Justin was born at Neapolis ( Flavia ) in Palestine. He was
impressed by the Classical philosophy and especially Plato's teachings.
After his conversion into Christianity, he tried to spread his new faith
in the philosophical schools. He taught at Ephesus and Rome. His works
include apologies addressed to the emperor Antoninus Pius and the second
one is protesting against the injustice. The third and the longest of his
works " Dialogue with Trypho "is about a conversation he had with a Jewish
man Trypho, at Ephesus long years ago. This Jew Trypho objected that the
Christians broke the Jewish law and began to worship a human being. Justin
was martyred at Rome about 165.
Lucian of Antioch ( M )
Another native of Antioch, he was born at
Samosata and martyred at Nicomedia. He was the teacher and head of a
Theological school at Antioch. By that time, he revised the Greek version
of the Old Testament and also the four gospels. When the emperor
Diocletian began persecutions, he was at Nicomedia by chance, he was
imprisoned there for nine years to renounce the Lord, upon his refusal, he
was killed there and buried at Drepanum a town near Nicomedia.
Luke
the Evangelist ( S M )
He was a gentile, Greek by origin, and a
medical man by profession as St. Paul mentions him as " our beloved " Luke
the Physician ". He was the author of one of the four gospels and co-author
of the " Acts of Apostles " with St. Paul. As we know from St. Paul, he
accompanied St. Paul on his second journey and third journey, St. Paul in
his letter to Timothy says " Luke is my only companion ". So, we can be
sure that St. Luke has been to Rome and probably wrote his gospel when he
was there. Although his death is debated, as some scholars claim that he
was martyred in Greece, or some others say he died of natural, but sure
when he died he was well over his eighty. An oral tradition says he was
imprisoned at Ephesus in a prison called " Luke's Tower " of which the
remains are still visible.
Macrina the Younger ( S )
She was born at Caeserea in Cappadocia in
c. 327 and died in the Black Sea area of Turkey c. 379. She comes from a
family of strong and long Christian tradition, as we remember, the Church
fathers, St. Basil and St. Gregory of Nyssa were her brothers. As she was
engaged to a young lawyer, upon her boy friend's early death, she gave
herself to her family and influenced her younger brothers Basil and
Gregory. Later she moved up to Pontus area to replace her widowed mother
St. Emmelia as the head of a little Christian community which she later
grew into a large community. Another Macrina referred to as the Elder was
her grand mother, who had suffered with her husband during the Galerius'
persecutions.
Mamas
( M )
His birth year is unknown, probably
martyred in c. 274. He was a young shepherd when he was stoned to death at
Caeserea in Cappadocia region, under the severe persecutions of the
emperor Aurelius.
Marcellus
the Righteous ( S )
He was born at Apamea ( southeastern Turkey
) and died at his monastery near Constantinople c. 485. He became an abbot
at the Eirenaion monastery near Constantinople, a monastery famous for the
sleepless monks, because their organization allowed them to sing God's
praises around the clock. His emphasis on the need for poverty and manual
work made his monastery one of the most influential of such houses. He was
present at the council meeting at Chalcedon in 451.
Marcion ( S )
Marcion was born at Sinope, a town on the
Black Sea. When he arrived in Rome, he became a student of and was
influenced by the Gnostic teacher Cerdo. Marcion's idea was basically
about the nature of two Gods, one that of the Old Testament he rejected,
one that of the New Testament. He describes the God of the Old Testament
as vengeful and source of evil and having favored the Jews exclusively.
Even, he rejected the gospels of Mark, Matthew he considered Jewish
writers. He was the one who cut out some parts of the New Testament ( i.e.
nativity ) as he believed that Jesus wasn't born of a woman, but appeared
as a grown man in the Synagogue at Capernaum in 29 AD. Eventually, his
beliefs were repudiated by the church in Rome and he was ex-communicated
in 144. This split caused the supporters to build their own churches.
Their influence in the east was great.
Margaret ( S M )
She became one of the most popular saints
in the west in middle ages. She was born at Antioch of Pisidia region, in
the Taurus mountains of Turkey. She was the Christian daughter of a pagan
priest during the time of Diocletian. Because of her faith, she was
beheaded.
Marina ( S )
The legend says, Marina's father became a
monk in Bithynia region of Turkey and kept his daughter with him, dressing
her like a boy. On her father's death she stayed on in the Monastery. She
was later exiled, because she was accused of fathering the child of an
innkeeper's daughter later received back in the monastery. After her death,
her sex and consequent innocence was discovered.
Mary
the Virgin ( S )
Of course the virgin Mary is one of the
most notable women of the New Testament, although little is known about
her life. She holds a prominent place in the birth of Jesus Christ,
especially in the Gospel of St. Luke. Joachim and Anne, the parents of
Mary were a couple of the royal house of David. This elderly couple didn't
have a child and even Joachim's offer to sacrifice a lamb at the temple
was rejected, because their barrenness. In sorrow, Joachim retired to
wilderness to fast for forty days. Gabriel the archangel appeared to both
Joachim and Anne separately to announce the coming of their child Mary to
them. This scene in the Christian art takes place in the case of Joachim
when he was herding his sheep out in the fields, and in the case of Anne,
when she was by the fountain in the courtyard of their house. The most
important themes about her life in the Christian art are Annunciation and
the Nativity ( birth of Jesus Christ ), as painted on the walls of many
churches. She was present at the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ who entrusted
his mother to St. John who probably brought her with him to Ephesus. Today,
there is stone house from 1st C. and restorations from 7th C. on the top
of the hill 5 miles away from Ephesus, claimed to be the place where Mary
spent her last years in peace. Also, Ephesus has the earliest church in
the world dedicated to Mary, also this church was the one where they held
the ecumenical council in 431.
Maximus the Confessor ( S M )
Maximus was born at Constantinople c. 581
and died at Batumi on the Black Sea c. 662. He comes from a noble family
of Constantinople and was the chief secretary to Emperor Heraclius, later
he resigned from his office and became a monk at the monastery of
Chyrsopolis ( modern Uskudar ) on the Asian bank of the Bosphorus. He was
elected abbot of the Community, later he left his position, and under
thread from Persians, he moved to Alexandria and on to Rome. He was a
supporter of the Pope St. Martin in opposition to the unorthodox doctrine
- Monotheism - and a decree of Emperor Constans II. He was taken back to
Constantinople as a prisoner. After years of bad treatment and bad living
conditions in the prison, he was brought before the emperor to declare his
loyalty. Upon his refusal, he was ordered that his tongue, right hand
would be cut off. The old man was exiled to a fortress near Batum on the
Black Sea, and soon died there. St. Maximus was an important theologian
and mystic of great capacity, and is known for his mystical and ascetical
writings. One of them, the four Centuries of Charity is said to be one of
the most beautiful in the Christian Literature.
Mercury ( S M )
His soldier saint said to be of Scythian
origin fought so well against the invading barbarians, he became a
favorite of the emperor Decius. After his conversion to Christianity, he
refused to sacrifice to Artemis at a pagan festival, attracting the
attention on himself. Later, he was tortured and taken to his home town in
Cappadocia and beheaded at Caeserea.
Methodius of Constantinople ( B )
He was born at Syracuse and died at
Constantinople c.847. He has had hard times, when he supported the
representation of sacred images in the churches, during iconoclastic
movement that banned the religious figures. Especially, under the emperor
Michael II, he was flogged many times and kept in close confinement. His
met his fortune when Theodora became regent in 842 and appointed
Methodisius patriarch of Constantinople. Soon he summoned a council to put
an end to iconoclastic controversy. Also, to emphasize this event, a
festival called Orthodoxy was instituted and is still celebrated in
Byzantine churches.
Methodius of Olympia ( B M )
This Methodius is called of Olympia,
because his birth place is at the ancient city Olympia ,in the area called
Lycia which is in the southern Turkey. Our information about his life is
extremely limited. But his works have survived, the famous ones are
Symposium and Banquet of the Ten Virgins a dialogue about the excellence
of the virginity and ends up with a hymn to Christ.
Narses the First ( B )
Born in Armenia c. 325 and died there c.
373. He has been to Caeserea area where he learned the principles of
Christianity and later used these principles to build the Armenian church
in his home land where he had some opposition from locals and Armenian
King because of his import of the doctrine from Cappadocia.
Nestorius ( B )
He was born at Germanicia in Southeast
Turkey. He was a student of Theodore of Mopsuestia whose ideas he kept and
echoed faithfully. Nestorius became bishop of Constantinople in 428, and
began his attacks on Arian Heretics. He was brought about his condemnation
at the Council of Ephesus in 431, because of his support for his
chamberlain Anastasisus who earlier objected to the popularized
description of Mary as bearer of God. At the end of Council meeting,
Nestorius was condemned heretic and exiled. During his years in exile, he
wrote his work The Bazaar of Heraclides in which Nestorius attempts to
justify his position and answer the criticism of Cyril of Alexandria.
Nestorius died in the upper Egypt about the year 451.
Nicephorus of Antioch ( M )
Nicephorus was born at Antioch. He and
another priest called Sapricius had a quarrel over something. On occasions
Nicephorus attempted to make peace and reconciliation with Sapricius, but
each time Sapricius refused him. Later, Sapricius was sentenced to death
because of his faith. On the way to execution place, the last attempt by
Nicephorus was also turned. But, right before his execution, Sparicius
offered to sacrifice to Pagan gods to save himself. This time Nicephorus
said that he was also a Christian and ready to die. He was momentously
beheaded right there. The Historians place this event in the Persecutions
of the emperor Valerian.
Nicephorus of Constantinople ( B )
Nicephorus the patriarch of Constantinople
in the 9 C. who was in conflict with the iconoclasts and because of his
opposition he was deposed from his see in 815, by the emperor Leo V. He
was imprisoned along with Theodore the Studite the abbot of Studios
Monastery in Constantinople and spent the rest of his life in exiles. He
left behind him many writings, and a book of world history.
Nicetas ( M )
Nicetas was a Goth by origin, and hi story
is associated with Sabas the Goth. Very little is known about his life,
however we know that he was burned to death because of his belief, and his
body was taken to Mopsuestia in Cilicia southern Turkey, and buried there.
Nicholas ( Santa Claus ) ( S B )
Probably the most popular of the Saints in
the Christian world and sometimes known as Santa Claus. The patron saint
of children, sailors, travelers and prisoners. He was born to a wealthy
family at Patara in southwestern Turkey c. 300. Patara his birth place was
a flourishing city especially in the Roman times. The remains of this city
that are still visible there prove this fact. In his youth he traveled to
Palestine and Egypt, later he became bishop of Myra, a town to the west of
Antalya in Mediterranean Turkey. When he was bishop at Myra, his influence
was already great all over Anatolia, and by the 6 C. a church was built
and dedicated to him in Constantinople. He was also present at the First
Council of Nicaea in 325, and he met such a strong opposition from Arius
the heretic. One of the local stories told about him is, in the time of
famine a butcher cut up the bodies of three children and put them in a
barrel of salt, intending to sell them for food. The St. Nicholas was told
by an angel in his dream about the incident, and hastened to the butcher's
house and restored the children back to life. Another story says, a young
girl with no money to buy her dowries was about to take up a prostitution
life, St. Nicholas had thrown three bags of gold into their garden and
enabled the girl to buy her dowries and get married. This story probably
gave the way the custom of giving presents to children at Christmas time.
Today, there is a nice church at Myra in which the Saint was buried in a
sarcophagus and his tomb has survived the Arab raids, but in 1087, the
remaining parts of his body was taken to Bari in Italy by the Italian
merchants. When they broke the tomb, they found the bones of the Saint
covered in Myrrh. His body and some other relics kept in the church of
Myra were removed to the Cathedral in Bari, and the remaining parts are in
Antalya Museum.
Nilus
of Ancyra ( S )
He was born at Ancyra (modern Ankara) and
died there c. 432. He became a disciple of John Chrysostom the famous
patriarch of Constantinople. He received his education at Constantinople,
and on returning to his home town, he founded a monastery there where he
wrote his writings. His letters tell us he was of great capability of
correspondence with different parts of the Christian world.
Olympias ( S )
She was one of the active ladies in the
Christian history. She was born at Nicomedia in c. 366 and died c. 407.
When she was eighteen, she married Nebridius the prefect of the city, and
less than two years she was a widow. She was a faithful lady to St. John
Chrysostom, even he was banished from his see in Constantinople. As John
Chrysostom has written many letters in person to her, obviously she was
one of the beloved deaconess of him. Her determination not to marry again
rose questions about her. Apparently she was a wealthy lady as she had
made considerable donations for charitable purposes. She was warned by
John Chrysostom to be more careful in her benefactions. After St. John was
deposed, Olympias was one of the who suffered because her full support of
him. When she was questioned about the burning of Hagia Sophia church in
Istanbul her answer were so irony and bold that she was fined heavily and
dragged from place to place. John Chrysostom wrote her seventeen letters
when he was on exile, most these letters were about the news of himself
and his appreciation for her services.
Pantelon ( M )
He was born at Nicomedia (modern Izmit) and
martyred there. He was the court physician to the emperor Galerius. When
he separated from the public life on an advise from one his friends, he
came under suspicions that resulted in his execution under the emperor
Diocletian's persecutions. Because of his profession, he became the most
popular patron saint of Medical world.
Papylus
See above under Carpus & Papylus
Paul
St. ( S M )
The most dynamic figure of the New
Testament, the greatest missionary of Christianity and its first
theologian. St. Paul was born to Jewish parents in Tarsus c. 3, being a
diaspora - the dispersion of Jews into the Greco-Roman world and was
circumcised on the eighth day by the Jewish tradition. His original name
given to him was Saul after the Hebrew King. However, Saul took as his
everyday name of Latin origin with a sound similar to that of his original
Hebrew name. We understand from his letters, he had deep knowledge of
Greek rhetoric which he learned in his youth in Tarsus. But also his
philosophy reflects that he had received a formal training in the Jewish
law, probably he was getting prepared for becoming a rabbi. St. Paul, in
his early years, was a insistent persecutor of the Christians and even he
was a supportive witness to the stoning of St. Stephen, the first of the
Christian martyrs. Again, before his conversion, he accepted that
Christianity was a Jewish sect and that wasn't true to the Jewish law and
that therefore had to be destroyed. St. Paul's conversion occurred during
his journey from Jerusalem to Damascus, after experiencing a vision of
Christ. He clearly perceived the revelation of Jesus Christ to mark the
end of all religions. St. Paul is well known from his three journeys as
recorded in the book " Acts of Apostles ", which he traveled to spread the
new born religion. From Acts, we know that he was arrested in Jerusalem
after riots by Jewish opponents and that later he was taken to Rome. He
talks about his own possible death in the Acts. He was probably martyred
at Rome c. 62. The New Testament refers to 13 letters which St. Paul was
author of, and 7 of the letters (first letter to Thessalonians, Letter to
Galatians, first letter to Corinthians, Letter to Romans, Letter to
Philippians, second letter to Timothy and Letter to Philemon) that bear
his name were certainly written by St. Paul himself. These letters in
which St. Paul speaks of his works, are the major source of information
about his life. In his letters, he addressed to the major metropolitan
centers of the ancient world, he also chose the synagogues to give his
preaching in. Apparently he was the man of the road as he covered a
considerable distance on his journeys.
Pelagia of Antioch ( M )
She was born at Antioch
and martyred there c. 305. She was a young
girl when Roman soldiers came to her home to arrest her, rather than
surrender she threw herself to death from the top of the building.
Pelagia of Tarsus ( M )
She probably lived in Tarsus during the
reign of the emperor Diocletian as told in her legend. against her will,
this beautiful girl was affianced to one of the sons of emperor Diocletian.
When she converted to Christian, her fiancée killed himself. The emperor,
instead of punishing her, wanted her for himself. When she refused this
offer, she was roasted to death in a red-hot brazen bull.
Philip the Apostle ( S M )
He was born at Bethsaida. Philip preached
the gospel in Asia Minor. Tradition says he was martyred at the ancient
city Hierapolis ( modern Pamukkale, Turkey ) by having been nailed on a
tree upside down c. 80. There is still a martyrdom built for St. Philip
from 6th C., of which the ruins are still visible there.
Philip of Heraclia ( B M )
He was born at Heraclia on the coast of the
Sea of Marmara. He lived during the reign of the emperor Diocletian. He
was the bishop of Heraclia in Thrace. When his church was closed by the
Roman soldiers, he told them that God dwells in men's hearts not within
the walls. He summoned the service in the open air. Bassus the governor of
the city ordered him to hand over the church's books and relics which
Philip and his deacon Hermes refused to do. When Philip and Hermes the
deacon refused to sacrifice for Hercules the chief and name god of the
city, Philip was dragged to jail by his feet. After tortured in jail for
seven months, Philip, Hermes and another priest called Severus were taken
to Hadrianople ( modern Edirne ), where they were beaten and tortured for
weeks, and finally both were sentenced to death. St. Philip was so much
weary of the tortures, he had to be carried to execution.
Phocas ( M )
He was born at Sinope on the Black Sea
coast, and martyred there. Much of the information about this martyr comes
from Asterius the bishop of Amesia (modern Amasya). His account says that
Phocas was a market-gardener by profession, and when the Roman soldiers
called at his cottage they had orders to kill a Christian named Phocas, he
invited them into his cottage to overnight and he would tell them his
location in the morning. During the night Phocas dug his grave in his
garden, and in the morning he said to his guests that he was phocas. The
soldiers carried out their orders, and buried him in his grave. Sailors in
the Black sea, and Aegean sang chants in honor of their patron saints.
Photius ( B )
He was born to a noble family at
Constantinople c. 820 and died there c. 891. He was the patriarch of
Constantinople and one of the greatest scholars and theologians of the
Byzantine ages. Photius had a brilliant career as a diplomat and scholar.
Later he was elected patriarch of Constantinople to replace Ignatius, who
was in conflict with the court of the emperor Michael III. The election of
Photius was opposed by the supporters of Ignatius who appealed to the
judgment of Nicholas I the Pope. At the beginning, Photius was supported
by Papal legates, but later denounced by the pope. The conflict had roots
in the competition between the Byzantine and Western churches. Photius
accused the papal missionaries heretics and called a council in 867 which
deposed Pope Nicholas I. When Basil I murdered Michael III and usurped the
throne deposed Photius and restored Ignatius as the patriarch of
Constantinople.
Pionius ( M )
Martyred at Smyrna
c. 250. Pionius was a priest, and well
educated man. He was arrested with a woman and another man, after
celebrating the anniversary of St. Polycarp the bishop of Smyrna. They
were asked to sacrifice to the Roman gods, upon their refusal, they were
tortured by the soldiers. We cannot tell for sure what had happened to the
other two, but St. Pionius was taken to the stadium of the city, and after
a discussion with the proconsul of the city, he was sentenced to death. He
was martyred at the stadium with a priest. We also know that he had made a
copy of a letter that tells how St. Polycarp was martyred.
Polycarp ( S M B )
St. Polycarp, no doubt, is one of the most
prominent figures on the Asia Minor stage. He was the great bishop of
Smyrna. He was martyred at an advanced age, at Smyrna
( modern Izmir ) c. February 23, 155. This is
a saint whose life and martyrdom has come to us with great details,
because, his church in Smyrna wrote a
long letter to the Church of Philomelium in Pisidia region of Asia Minor,
and fortunately this account of his life has survived and probably is the
most authentic one from early period of Christianity. He was arrested by
Roman soldiers at a farm house outside the city, after betrayal of a
servant. Right after this he was taken to the stadium of the city, where
there was a big crowd for the sport games, and introduced to the proconsul
who told Polycarp to respect the Roman Gods and curse Christ. Polycarp
said " I have served Christ for 86 years, and he has done me no wrong ".
The proconsul with the yells of the mob asking for his blood, ordered
Polycarp be burned alive in the middle of the stadium. Polycarp prayed and
the flames embraced his body, the chief executioner stabbed him to quicken
his death.
Pulcheria ( S )
Pulcheria was the wise empress of Byzantine
empire. Born c. 398 and died c. 453 at Constantinople. The princess
Pulcheria became regent for her younger brother, Theodisius II. Even after
his brother's marriage, she continued to influence his brother and rule
the country with some intervals. When Theodisius II died in 450, Pulcheria
ruled the country with the help of the general Marcian, a master of
administration and politics, whom she married. She was a pious lady and
and also an active opponent of Nestorians and monophysists. Her parents'
bad treatment of John Chrysostom hurt her so much, she had John's body
brought from Comana back to Constantinople and buried in the church of
Apostles.
The
Seven Sleepers ( S )
This story comes from oral tradition. Seven
young Christian men with their dog took refuge in a cave near Ephesus ,
during the persecutions of the emperor Decius ( c. 250 ), and fell asleep
in there. When they woke up, they were hungry, and went down to the town
to buy some bread. Their strange clothes and the coins they wanted to use
to buy bread caused the curiosity of the town people. After questioning,
they found out that these seven young men had slept in their cave for
about 200 years. By this time, the Christianity was established already in
the Roman Empire, and the emperor was Theodisius II who rules the country
in 440s. When the town people heard their story, told them not to fear,
because they could go and pray in the church freely. Their grotto near
Ephesus has been a popular place of pilgrimage, and still today it is open
to visits.
Simeon the Stylite ( S )
Born in Cilicia c. 390. Her was the son of
a shepherd and from his early childhood he subjected himself to food
fasting. After spending twenty years in various hermitages and monasteries
in northern Syria, he went to Telanissus where he began to live on a
pillar and died there. After his death, a sanctuary and monastery were
built on the spot, the ruins and the base of the column are still visible
there. He is accounted for the establishment of the Pillar Ascetics. This
life style later became very popular among the other saints. They lived
high up on a platform on the top of a column ( in the case of Simeon said
the pillar was 60 feet and the platform was close to 12 feet square. The
reason that he chose to live on the top of a pillar was to avoid the
crowds who came to him for his prayers and advises, so he could stay at a
distance from the people. But, that didn't stop the people, and they came
around his pillar asking his prayers for them. People were of almost every
class, from emperors to beggars. Simeon the Stylite eventually had to
reserve his afternoons for teaching, praying, answering questions.
Simeon the Theologian
Born in Paphlagonia region c. 950, and died at Constantinople c. 1022.
When he was a young man he moved to Constantinople and became a monk in
the monastery of Studius. However, Simeon imagined a stricter life for
himself and moved on to the monastery of St. Mamas where he was an abbot
for 25 years. Later, he organized a new monastery where he lived the
remaining years of his life in peace. He was a mystic, and the Byzantine
mysticism was at its zenith.
Stephen the Younger ( M )
Born at Constantinople c. 715, and died
there c. 765. When the Emperor Constantine V renewed the iconoclastic
movement that banned the sacred images in the churches, Stephen was the
one who defended at Constantinople the veneration of religious and sacred
images. He was a hermit and monk on Mount St. Axentius and in 761 was
exiled for his activities to the Proconessos in the Sea of Marmara. After
three years he was brought before the emperor and questioned, and put in
jail with some other monks where he stayed for 11 months before the second
trial. At the second court, because his language provoked the emperor,
Constantine V unwillingly ordered his death.
Thecla ( S )
Thecla is probably one of the earliest
saints in the world, as the story comes to us from St. Paul. Basil the
bishop of Seleucia also wrote a full account of St. Thecla. The apocryphal
"Acts of St. Paul and Thecla", contains some information about St. Paul's
stay in Iconium. This account says, Thecla lived in Iconium, and on St.
Paul's visit to the city, she pestered St. Paul to baptize her, resulting
in an outcry and both be brought before the magistrate of the city.
eventually, St. Paul was condemned to be beaten and exiled from the city,
and Thecla was sentenced to death by burning. However, a timely rain put
out the fire and saved Thecla's life. This time, Thecla disguised herself
as a boy, and followed St. Paul to Pisidian Antioch where came to the
attention of the authorities and once more sentenced to death, to be
thrown to the lions. She again managed to escape and went down to Seleucia
( modern Silifke ) in disappointment where she lived in a cave and spent
her final years. Later, this grotto became a popular place of pilgrimage,
and a church was built nearby her cave whose remains are still visible.
Theodore St. ( M S )
We don't know for sure when he lived and
died, but he became one the three most important soldier-saints of the
East along with St. George and St. Demetrius. We know that he was born at
Amasea in Pontus ( modern Amasya ), and martyred there because he set fire
to a pagan temple. After he suffered tortures in the prison, he was thrown
into a furnace and martyred. His burial place at Euchaita became an
important pilgrimage place. He was venerated in Anatolia as early as 4 th
C. Also, in the Christian art, the paintings on the church walls that show
the slaying of a dragon by a knight is attributed to this St. Theodore as
well as to the St. George.
Theodore of Sykeon ( B )
Born at Sykeion in Galatia region of Asia
Minor, and died there after his stays at different towns, monasteries in
Jerusalem, Anastasiopolis. He probably lived in the 6th C. The account
written by his disciples says, Theodore was the bastard child of a girl
who with her mother and sister kept an inn where they prostituted
themselves to their customers against some money. Later on, his mother
married and left him with his grand mother and his aunt. Theodore was
converted to Christian by his aunt, and on a journey to Jerusalem, became
a monk and gained considerable experience there. On returning to his home,
he founded monasteries in his home country. Against his will, he was
elected bishop of Anastasiopolis near Ancyra ( modern Ankara ). After ten
years in this office, he went to Constantinople to see his patron emperor
Maurice. Later he returned to his home village Sykeion where spent his
remaining years as a monk. Also, from the account written by his disciples,
he is attributed with some miracles and marvels i.e. healing the sick, and
some miraculous works.
Theodore the Studite ( S )
He was born at Constantinople in 759 and
died at Akritas in 826. His father was an imperial treasury official, and
Theodore succeeded his uncle as head of the monastery at Sakkoudion in
Bithynia region. He had troubles with the emperor Constantine VI, for he
refused the emperor's divorce, he was banished from his position. Later,
he moved his community to Constantinople, where they occupied the Studius
Monastery founded by the Roman counsel Studius in 463. Under Theodor, the
development of this monastery was great and remarkable. His ideals and
regulations made a way for Byzantine monasticism and the influence of this
monastery covered a large community. But, this wasn't the end of
Theodore's troubles, he was once more exiled to Princes' island in the Sea
of Marmara, because of the emperor's adultery. Later, his troubles
continued with the emperor Leo V, when this emperor revived the
Iconoclastic movement as state policy. This time, Theodore organized
public resistance against the emperor's edict, and exiled to various
places for seven years. On the other hand, Theodore supported his
community with letters to keep their common struggle alive. He also sent
an appeal to the Pope Paschal I, who later sent legates to Constantinople,
without any result. After the violent death of the emperor, Theodore was
released from the prison, but never allowed to return to his Studius
monastery. He was the leader of the monastic movement and also the
strongest defender of the sacred images.
Timothy ( B )
He was probably born, lived and died c. 97
at Lystra in Asia Minor. He was the son of a gentile father and a Jewish
mother. He was converted from heathenism to Christianity by journeys of St.
Paul ( Acts xvi 1-4 ), who made him
also his companion and helper. Two of the epistles were addressed to him,
the first epistle says that St. Paul had entrusted him the Ephesus area,
and St. Timothy was the first bishop of Ephesus. We don't have any further
account of his life, one of the stories says he was beaten to death
because of his refusal to take part in heathen festival.
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