Righteous Theoleptus of Philadelphia

St. Theoleptus of Philadelphia was born around 1250–1252 in Nicaea. He was initially married and ordained a deacon. In 1277, after Emperor Michael VIII proclaimed the Union of Lyons with Rome, he openly defended Orthodoxy, for which he suffered persecution and imprisonment. After his release, he withdrew to Mount Athos, was tonsured a monk at Karyes, and persuaded his wife to embrace monastic life as well. On the Holy Mountain he became a disciple of St. Nicephorus the Hesychast, receiving the tradition of the Jesus Prayer. In 1283/1284 he was consecrated bishop and appointed Metropolitan of Philadelphia in Lydia, where he served for almost forty years. In 1310 he led the city's successful defense against a Turkish siege. He became the first spiritual mentor of St. Gregory Palamas, decisively shaping the formation of his hesychast theology. He authored ascetical and theological writings included in the Greek and Slavonic Philokalia. He died around 1322.