Saint (Hierarch) Theophylact of Nicomedia

Theophylact came to Constantinople from the East and became close to St Tarasius, then a lay court official. After Tarasius became patriarch and the Seventh Ecumenical Council (787) condemned iconoclasm, Theophylact and St Michael (later bishop of Synnada) became monks in a monastery on the Black Sea, where, according to his Life, their prayer made an empty bronze vessel pour out water for thirsty harvesters.

Tarasius consecrated Theophylact bishop of Nicomedia. He built churches, hospitals and hostels, gave alms daily and personally washed the sores of lepers. When Emperor Leo V the Armenian (813–820) revived iconoclasm, Theophylact joined Patriarch Nicephorus in pleading with him, denounced the emperor and foretold his sudden death. He was exiled to the fortress of Strobilos in Asia Minor, where he spent about thirty years and died around 845; Leo was murdered in church on Christmas Day 820. After icon veneration was restored under Empress Theodora, his relics were brought back to Nicomedia. He is commemorated on 8 March (21 March, New Style).