Theodore the Studite1 Theodore the Studite Theodore the Studite St. Theodore of Studion: 11th-century mosaic from Nea Moni Monastery, Chios Monk Born Died 759 826 Honored in Eastern Orthodox Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, Roman Catholic Church Feast 11 November Theodore the Studite (also known as Theodorus Studita, St. Theodore of Stoudios, and St. Theodore of Studium; 759–826) was a Byzantine Greek monk and abbot of the Stoudios monastery in Constantinople.[1] Theodore's letter, containing suggested monastery reform rules, is the first recorded stand against slavery. He played a major role in the revivals both of Byzantine monasticism and of classical literary genres in Byzantium. He is known as a zealous opponent of iconoclasm, one of several conflicts that set him at odds with both emperor and patriarch. Biography Family and childhood Theodore was born in Constantinople in 759. He was the oldest son of Photeinos, an important financial official in the palace bureaucracy,[2] and Theoktiste, herself the offspring of a distinguished Constantinopolitan family.[3] The brother of Theoktiste, Theodore's uncle Platon, was himself an important official in the imperial financial administration.[4] The family therefore controlled a significant portion, if not all, of the imperial financial administration during the reign of Constantine V (r. 741–775). Theodore had two younger brothers (Joseph, later Archbishop of Thessaloniki, and Euthymios) and one sister, whose name we do not know. It has often been assumed that Theodore's family belonged to the iconodule party during the first period of Byzantine Iconoclasm. There is however no evidence to support this, and their high position in the imperial bureaucracy of the time renders any openly iconodule position highly unlikely. Furthermore, when Platon left his office and entered the priesthood in 759, he was ordained by an abbot who, if he was not actively iconoclastic himself, at the very least offered no resistance to the iconoclastic policies of Constantine V. The family as a whole was most likely indifferent to the question of icons during this period. According to the later hagiographical literature, Theodore received an education befitting his family's station, and from the age of seven was instructed by a private tutor, eventually concentrating in particular on theology. It is however not clear that these opportunities were available to even the most well-placed Byzantine families of the eighth century, and it is possible that Theodore was at least partially an autodidact. where they set about transforming the family estate into a religious establishment. who had lived as a monk in the Symbola Monastery in Bithynia since 759. and was a member of Tarasios' iconodule party at the Second Council of Nicaea. Shortly thereafter Tarasios himself ordained Theodore as a priest. a cousin of Theodore the Studite. A somewhat obscure chain of events followed (the so-called "Moechian controversy. Maria of Amnia. together with ten other monks. on account of his marriage. sailed back to Bithynia with Platon in 781. Theodore's uncle Platon. constructing a library and a scriptorium. Theoktiste. In the event neither appeared. Abbot of the Studites Following the accession of Irene. which became known as the Sakkudion Monastery. The monks arrived in Thessaloniki in March 797. In 794. the priest Joseph was stripped of his office. The monks then returned to the Sakkudion Monastery. to likewise take monastic vows. Theodore then set about building various workshops within the monastery to guarantee autarky. however." from the Greek moichos. were now his relatives).[5] Although the Patriarch may initially have resisted this development. lifted the exile. . and Constantine appears to have attempted to make peace with Theodore and Platon (who. which. 775–780) in 780. although not by the patriarch. and the community was dispersed. in August of the same year Constantine VI was blinded and overthrown. where the veneration of icons was declared orthodox. During the period of the regency of Eirene. Abbot Platon emerged as a supporter of the Patriarch Tarasios. and Theodoros was received in the imperial palace. banished to Thessaloniki. Emperor Constantine VI (r. together with his father. but by a certain Joseph. 776–797) decided to separate from his first wife. Conflict with Constantine VI Also in 794. He also composed a series of poems on the duties of the various members of the community. as a divorce without proof of adultery on the part of the wife could be construed as illegal. and. and to marry Maria's kubikularia (Lady-in-waiting). while Platon was imprisoned in Constantinople. Theodore became abbot of the Sakkudion Monastery. while Platon withdrew from the daily operation of the monastery and dedicated himself to silence. but were forced back to the capital in either 797 or 798 on account of an Arab raid on Bithynia. imperial troops were sent to the Sakkudion Monastery. he ultimately gave way. and persuaded the entire family of his sister. Theodore. At this time. as Joseph was a priest of the imperial church.Theodore the Studite 2 Early monastic career Following the death of Emperor Leo IV (r. as was normal.[6] He furthermore composed a The Stoudios Monastery as depicted in an 11th-century manuscript. but also of all who had received communion from him. but did not remain for long. and restoring and decorating the church. the new empress. Platon became abbot of the new foundation. The marriage of Constantine and Theodote was celebrated in 795. Theodote. and Theodore was his "right hand. which were likely inscribed and displayed within the monastery. Irene offered Theodore the leadership of the ancient Stoudios Monastery in Constantinople. not only of the priest Joseph. brothers. visited Constantinople. "adulterer"). included implicitly the emperor and his court. which he accepted. and appears to have demanded the excommunication. in which Theodore initiated a protest against the marriage from the Sakkudion Monastery. This demand had no official weight." The two sought to order the monastery according to the writings of Basil of Caesarea. Theodoros was flogged. a priest of Hagia Sophia. As a result. and his mother Irene. inviting them to visit him during a sojourn at the imperial baths of Prusa in Bithynia. was chosen instead. A synod was then held in January of 809. 811–813) is also possible. although a commission under Michael I Rangabe (r. The Synod decided to readmit Joseph to the priesthood. Early in 808. perhaps in 808. a decision to which Theodore did not at the time object. in any case. as well as a number of poems. He maintained contact with these other monasteries above all through his prodigious literary output (letters as well as catechisms). iambic acrostics composed by Theodore that replaced the "iconoclastic epigrams" which were previously exhibited on the Chalke gate of the Great Palace. In 806. At around the same time a small military division was dispatched to the Studios Monastery to arrest Theodore. As in the first dispute over the priest Joseph. As a result he was stripped of his archbishopric. Theodore began to express his unwillingness to associate with the rehabilitated priest Joseph. Joseph. and in particular Theodore and Platon. at which Theodore and his followers were anathematized as schismatic. It appears likely that Platon at this time put forth Theodore's name. as another sign of her good favor toward Theodore. as he held the rehabilitation for uncanonical. at which Theodore was present. Theodoros offered in a series of letters to explain his position to the emperor. Theodore's brother Joseph visited him in Constantinople.Theodore the Studite rule for the governance of the monastery. instead setting off for the summer military campaign. who had officiated at the wedding of Constantine and Theodote. soon after this ordination. the Patriarch Nikephoros convened a synod to address the case. and developed a system of messengers that was so elaborate as to resemble a private postal service. Theodore and Platon were jailed for 24 days before the Emperor Nikephoros allowed them to return to their congregations. but refused to attend the Christmas mass in Hagia Sophia. To this period may also date the so-called iconophile epigrams. the Patriarch Tarasios died. an impression which is reinforced by the choice (806/807) of Theodore's brother. at which the emperor. It has been suggested that these were commissioned by Irene. various Studite monks. However. or for that matter with anyone else who knowingly associated with him. and Emperor Nikephoros I (r. writing numerous letters to correspondents including his brother. 802–811) set about seeking his replacement. and Platon to Oxeia. possibly because Joseph had aided in the peaceful resolution of the revolt of Bardanes Tourkos. and furthermore to perform the customary proskynesis at his feet. relations between the Studite Abbot and the Patriarch appear to have been initially untroubled. and Platon. 813–820) and replaced by new "iconoclastic" verses. The selection of Nikephoros gave rise to an immediate protest on the part of the Studites. which reached a quantitative peak at this time. Theodore. and Platon. He also continued to compose catechisms for the Studite congregation. they were removed in 815 by Leo V the Armenian (r. . Theodore maintained an extensive literary activity in exile. who objected to the elevation of a layman to the patriarchal throne. but Nikephoros. the patriarch. In the winter of the same year. which offer Nikephoros declined. Joseph. and made the Studios community the center of an extensive congregation of dependent monasteries. Therefore. 3 Conflict with Nikephoros Emperor Nikephoros soon requested that his new patriarch rehabilitate the priest Joseph. Joseph. were thereafter banished to the Princes' Islands: Theodore to Chalke. and the priest Joseph would have been present. Joseph to Prote. In 806. a layman who held the rank asekretis in the imperial bureaucracy. as Archbishop of Thesaloniki. including the Sakkudion. influential family members. and even Pope Leo III. the extension of this refusal beyond Joseph to those who associated with him included implicitly the patriarch and the emperor himself. who for a time adopted the iconoclast position and won over many individuals monks to his party. thus drawing a parallel to Leo III (r. Theodotos. 814. In 812. namely the Paulicians and the "Athinganoi" (sometimes identified with the Roma). according to which the Byzantine and Bulgarian states should exchange refugees. as the previous 30 years since the approval of icon-veneration at the Synod of 787 had represented for the Byzantines a string of military catastrophes. also in 812. Shortly thereafter Leo had Theodore's poems removed from the Chalke Gate and replaced by a new set of "iconoclastic" epigrams. Palm Sunday. Second Iconoclasm At the very beginning of his reign. Once more Theodore's opinion prevailed. indications that a certain rivalry between the Studite Abbot and the Patriarch persisted. and Theodore was. In this instance Theodore argued against the exchange. 717–741) and Constantine V. and in April a synod was convened in Hagia Sophia.Theodore the Studite 4 Rehabilitation under Michael I In 811. Theodore's uncle Platon died in the Studios Monastery after a long illness. at which iconoclasm was re-introduced as dogma. He was. There are. Leo held fast by his plan to revive iconoclasm. with a number of bishops and abbots at first willing to reach a compromise with the iconoclasts. but then in the years between 816 and 819 renouncing the iconoclast position. he commanded his monks to process through the monastery's vineyard. reconciled with the Patriarch Nikephoros. the new emperor Michael I Rangabe called the Studites back from exile. eventually won back to the iconodule party. 814. Theodore and Nikephoros were called before the emperor to debate the legality of punishing heresy by death. Theodore is said to have won the day. while Nikephoros urged the emperor to accept the treaty. and took the side of the iconophiles. Theodore composed a series of letters in which he called on "all. A new patriarch. Leo resolved to reach back to the policies of the more successful Isaurian dynasty. a fortress on the eastern shore of Lake Apollonia in Bithynia. Theodore arguing against and Nikephoros for. a movement that was perhaps motivated by the martyrdom of the Studite monk . Leo V faced a new Bulgarian offensive that reached the walls of Constantinople and ravaged large sections of Thrace. at least superficially. On March 25. as it would require that Christians be cast to barbarians. the Laudatio Platonis. On April 4. Michael led a military campaign against the Bulgarians in 813. and in March 815 the Patrarch Nikephoros was stripped of his office and exiled to Bithynia. 803–814). however. Theodore composed a long funeral oration. near and far. the leadership of the Studite congregation was assumed by the Abbot Leontios. Michael I resolved to persecute certain heretics in Phrygia and Lycaonia. However. Not long thereafter he was exiled by imperial command to a Metopa. The dispute came to a head in a debate between the two parties before the emperor in the Great Palace on Christmas 814. This movement met with strong opposition from the Patriarch Nikephoros. holding up icons so that they could be seen over the walls by the neighbors. which remains one of the most important sources for the history of the family. however. at which Theodore and his brother Joseph were present. and the internal power struggles that followed. The second affair concerned a peace treaty proposed by Krum of Bulgaria (r. and assumed a leading role in the iconodule opposition. At this point Theodore remained in Constantinople. The Studite situation mirrored a general trend. although this time with serious consequences. which ended in defeat. The priest Joseph was once more defrocked. He renamed his son Constantine. who himself gathered a group of bishops and abbots about him and swore them to uphold the veneration of images." to revolt against the decision of the synod. While Theodore was in exile. Krum attacked and took Mesembria in November of the same year. This came to an end with the death of Krum on April 13. It is likely that Krum sought the return of certain Bulgarians who had betrayed him to the Byzantines. was selected. and as a result he abdicated in July and Leo V was crowned emperor. This provocation elicited only a rebuke from the emperor. and beginning in 814 began to discuss with various clerics and senators the possibility of reviving the iconoclastic policy of the Isaurians. he was transferred in 816 to Boneta. while celebrating mass. and throughout the remainder of the ninth century the Studite abbots continued Theodore's tradition of opposition to patriarchal and imperial authority. travelling through north-western Anatolia and meeting with numerous monks and abbots on the way. Theodore wrote two letters to Pope Paschal I. followed. were they were interred beside the grave of their uncle Platon. Theodore returned to Anatolia. which may have represented a power struggle within the movement. After his recovery Theodore was moved to Smyrna. one Ioannikos. He died on the 11 of November of that same year. were brought back to the Studios Monastery. with the result that Theodore became quite ill. and appears to have remained an important leader of the opposition to imperial iconoclasm. He continued to write numerous letters supporting the use of icons. Theodore's years of exile. Eighteen years later. in particular iambic verse. whence he nevertheless remained abreast of developments in the capital and maintained a regular correspondence. Stephen in the imperial palace. to his disciple Naukratios. concentrating in particular on refuting the arguments and criticizing the literary merits of the new iconoclastic epigrams on the Chalke. Theodore exercised a wide influence during the first year of his exile. and with none of the passion or effect of the Moechian controversy. At the time he appears to have believed that the new emperor. manual labor. and a carefully defined administrative hierarchy. As a result the emperor ordered at least once more that Theodore be flogged. however. a fortress in the more remote Anatolic theme. Theodore made his way back to Constantinople. Theodore also built the Studios monastery into a major scholarly center. Theodore's activities in his final years are somewhat difficult to trace. This continued activity led to an imperial order that Theodore be whipped. and in 826 he became quite ill. a daughter of Constantine VI. would adopt a pro-icons policy. in particular through its library and scriptorium. 820–829). along with those of his brother Joseph. a form of spiritual guidance for the future abbots of the Studios monastery. and the command was this time carried out. the Refutatio. including Theodore. Naukratios. Accordingly. apparently in the monastery of Hagios Tryphon on Cape Akritas in Bithynia. in the first requesting that he summon an anti-iconoclastic Synod. He was present at a meeting of "more than a hundred" iconodule clerics in 823 or 824. which certainly surpassed all other contemporary Byzantine ecclesiastical institutions in this regard. recovered control of the monastery after the end of iconoclasm in 842. Michael II (r. Theodore himself was a pivotal figure in the revival of classical literary forms. in what seems to have been a sort of self-imposed exile. although in a very moderate fashion. 5 Final years Following his release. at which however Michael expressed his attention to "leave the church as he had found it. as long as they remained outside of Constantinople. The most important elements of his reform were its emphases on cenobitic (communal) life. which his captors however refused to carry out. An imperial audience was arranged for a group of iconodule clerics. In 817. Leo V fell victim to a grisly murder at the altar of the Church of St. regular fasting. he dictated his Testament. His disciple. Theodore was released from exile shortly thereafter. Theodore also spoke against the second marriage of Michael II to the nun Euphrosyne. in . primarily through a massive letter-writing campaign. which were co-signed by several fellow iconophile abbots. Elements of Theodore's Testament were incorporated verbatim in the typika of certain early Athonite monasteries. which ended in an argument between the Studites and the host. In this year. his remains. Early in 821. Legacy Theodore's revival of the Studios monastery had a major effect on the later history of Byzantine monasticism. and exceptional exertions had taken their toll. and he expressed this hope in two letters to Michael. among other "foreign" clerics. letters to the Patriarchs of Alexandria and Jerusalem." The abbots were to be allowed to venerate images if they so wished.Theodore the Studite Thaddaios. It was during this upswell in icondule sentiment that Theodore began to compose his own polemic against the iconoclasts. A. Byzantine Monastic Foundation Documents (=Dumbarton Oaks Studies 35) (Washington. St. French translation by Anne-Marie Mohr. 1992) [two volumes]. • His poems. neither for domestic service nor for the labor of the fields. and his criticisms of the iconoclastic epigrams drew a connection between literary skill and orthodox faith. however. After his death the Studios monastery continued to be a vital center for Byzantine hymnography and hagiography. Ed. as well as for the copying of manuscripts. 1904). In the Latin West. English translation by Timothy Miller. on the basis of his letters to Pope Paschal." in M. ed. • Catecheses. On the holy icons (Crestwood. 1993). E. • The funeral oration on his uncle Plato (Theodori Studitae Oratio funebris in Platonem ejus patrem spiritualem. dictated to his disciple Naukratios at the end of his life: PG 99. 1968). and he was formally canonized by the Catholic Church. but Theodore was soon recognized as a saint.67–83. Theodoros Studites: Jamben auf verschiedene Gegestände (=Supplementa Byzantina 1) (Berlin. Efthymiadis and J.. Theodori Studitae Epistulae (=CFHB 31) (Berlin. the reintroduction of icons) in 843. Petersburg. Ignatii. Hero. Thomas and A." . It was not until the ninth century after. 2004). I. which represent an important stage in the revival of classical verse in Byzantium. et Confessoris Theodori Studitis Praepositi Parva Catachesis (Paris. Grünbart. Tre laudationes bizantine in onore di San Bartolomeo apostolo (Palermo. His feast day is November 12. C. the selection translated by Catherine Roth. PG 99. ISBN 3-11-019476-7. an honor which no other Byzantine iconophile received. Theatron: rhetorische Kultur in Spätantike und Mittelalter (=Millennium-Studien 13) (Berlin. • The funeral oration on his mother. Ed. Giustolisi.Theodore the Studite Byzantium. Auvray. 327B-436A and Theodori Studitae Refutatio et subversio impiorum poematum Ioannis.e. ed. 1891). and tr. Ed.. ventured to put forth the command "Thou shalt possess no slave. recentium christomachorum Cf. in J. Commentary on Theodore As also mentioned by Kirby Page in Jesus or Christianity. Theodori Studitae Magna Catachesis (St. ed. Saint Theodore of Studium (Constantinople). ISBN 0-913836-76-1 • His Testament..[7] 6 Works Theodore was an immensely prolific author. eds. "Establishing a holy lineage: Theodore the Stoudite's funerary catechism for his mother (BHG 2422). a tradition arose according to which Theodore had recognized papal primacy. came forth from the great Teacher [Jesus Christ]. the second (the "parva") ed. • Various polemical discourses connected with the question of image-worship. two collections of addresses to his monks on various subjects connected with the spiritual life. which convey many personal details. S. as well as illuminating a number of his historical engagements. 1981). Sergii.N. ISBN 0-88402-232-3. pp. with summaries in German by Georgios Fatouros. The first collection (the "magna") ed. Theodore: No direct word against slavery. 1813-24. Petites catéchèses (=Les Pères dans la foi 52) (Paris. ISBN 3-11-008808-8. Available online [8]. et Stephani. 2000). for man is made in the image of God. in particular Theodori praepositi Studitarum Antirrhetici adversus Iconomachos. There was no formal process of canonization in Byzantium. Featherstone.P. with German translation by Paul Speck. 803–850). among his most important works are: • His letters. Following the "triumph of Orthodoxy" (i. 13–51. PG 99. 2007). that one of his humble followers. M. Theodore became one of the great heroes of the iconodule opposition. • A sermon on the Apostle Bartholomew. Papadopulos-Kerameus. pp. Charles Loring Brace tells us in Gesta Christ that it was not until the 9th century that the first recorded stand against slavery itself was taken by St. with Italian translation by Giorgio di Maria in V. google. Paul (1984). Constable. a position for which he was trained by his own uncle. Theodore the Studite.rocor. doaks.org/typ000.. Peter (1996). a sister of Theoktiste. ISBN 0-88402-232-3. com/books?id=huh3WG-sqtUC).Theodore the Studite 7 Footnotes [1] . Varia 1 (Poikila Byzantina) (Bonn. • Chisholm. Bern. New York: Doubleday. The Encyclopædia Britannica Co. Jesus or Christianity: A Study in Contrasts (http://archive. . [7] In fact Theodore clearly believed in the Pentarchy. translated into English by Archimandrite Ephrem. Washington. Thomas (1998). • Speck.amazon. Germany: Dr. .uk/ephrem/theodore. Armstrong & Son. google.html)) External links • Selected works of Theodore (http://web. Charles Loring (1888). • Thomas. () [5] She was the daughter of Anna. Byzantine Monastic Foundation Documents: A Complete Translation of the Surviving Founders' Typika and Testaments. pdf References • Brace. () [8] http:/ / www. () [6] .documentacatholicaomnia. JSTOR 1291747 (http://www. Volume 1 (http://books. J. Giles (2000). or.com/books?id=esxCAAAAIAAJ).com/dp/B009SJ3I3U) . Laurence Edward (1933). [2] He is described as tamias tōn basilikōn phorōn. Doran & Company. District of Columbia: Dumbarton Oaks Studies (Volume 35).ukonline. New York.C. () [4] He was a zygostates. Sciences. District of Columbia: Dumbarton Oaks) 50: 263–287. Kaiser und eigenem Anspruch (http://books. com/books?id=Ck8bAAAAYAAJ).google.org/stable/1291747). org/ typikaPDF/ typ009. Catholic Encyclopedia article • Theodorus Studita (http://www. Rudolf Habelt GMBH) 4: 175–210. "The Politics of Salvation: Theodore of Stoudios on Martyrdom (Martyrion) and Speaking Out (Parrhesia)".htm).com/books?id=pxMqAAAAYAAJ) (4th ed. Patrologia Graeca with analytical indexes • A Homily on Fasting and Dispassion (http://www.doaks.au/news/?p=161) by St. "administrator of the imperial monies. A History of Humane Progress under Christianity (http://books. ISBN 3-7749-2150-4.google. Sergios and Euphemia. who died in the plague of 747/48.com/books?id=9HcQAQAAIAAJ).htm). Switzerland: Peter Lang. () [3] Theodore emphasizes the high standing of her parents. Dumbarton Oaks Papers (Washington. "Ikonoklasmus und die Anfänge der makedonischen Renaissance" (http://books. Hero. • Hatlie. • Page. The Eclipse of Christianity in Asia: From the time of Muhammad till the Fourteenth Century (http://books.org. He was therefore an extremely high-ranking official with a close relationship to the emperor himself. Gesta Christ. New York: A. Theodore of Stoudios Catechesis (Kindle Edition in Ukrainian) (http://www. Volume 26 (http://books.jstor. • St. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. Cambridge.).eu/30_20_0758-0826-_Theodorus_Studita.google. Theodoros Studites (759-826) — zwischen Dogma und Pragma: der Abt des Studiosklosters in Konstantinopel im Spannungsfeld von Patriarch. for the poems. to be read at the beginning of Great Lent • St.org/stream/ jesusorchristian013486mbp#page/n3/mode/2up). • Pratsch.com/books?id=gJlvzd4MzSUC).google." a position that seems to have been equivalent to the basilikos sakellarios. Incorporated. Angela Constantinides.html) Greek Opera Omnia by Migne. Hugh (1911).co. The Encyclopædia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts.org/cathen/14574a. Literature and General Information. Kirby (1929). Garden City.newadvent. • Browne. ( Online text (http://www. Theodore of Studium (http://www. 0/ . Licenses and Contributors File:Studite. Ottawa4ever. 1 anonymous edits Image:Studion. Cuchullain.org/w/index. Wesley.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Demidow. Evrik. InfernoXV. ELApro.0 Unported //creativecommons. Gryffindor.wikipedia. Cplakidas. Jonel. Imladjov. Good Olfactory. Ghirlandajo. Chris the speller. KRBN. Roltz.wikipedia. AnnaFrance.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Original uploader was Ghirlandajo at en. Klemen Kocjancic. No. Woohookitty.wikipedia.org/w/index. Jbribeiro1.php?title=File:Studion. John Carter. Jaraalbe.org/w/index. Gr8opinionater. Rich Farmbrough. Enviroboy. Bepimela.php?title=File:Studite.php?oldid=555425546 Contributors: A Musing. Ludi. Sam Li. Pmsyyz. Mu. Michael Hardy. 108. Tabletop. Jkelly. Ionutzmovie. GreatWhiteNortherner. Irmgard. Waacstats. Man vyi. Eastlaw. Rjwilmsi. Shakko. PT09Christian. Eusebius12.wikipedia License Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3. Gaius Cornelius. Apparition11.org/licenses/by-sa/3. Javits2000. RogDel. Ghirlandajo. Maddox. MishaPan.jpg Source: http://en.jpg Source: http://en. RoyFocker. PigFlu Oink. Quadell.Article Sources and Contributors 8 Article Sources and Contributors Theodore the Studite Source: http://en. Testus. Paul A. Irmgard. Evrik. R'n'B. FeanorStar7. 35 anonymous edits Image Sources. Dimadick.