Saint Arepha was born in Polotsk and lived in a monastery, keeping much wealth in his cell. One day he was robbed, and, grieving over his lost possessions, he began to complain against the Lord, for which he was struck by a severe illness. At the point of death, he saw angels and demons coming to him, who began to argue about his fate. The demons claimed that he should be handed over to them for his greed and complaints, while the angels told him that if he had thanked God for what was stolen, it would have been a mercy to him. After this vision, Saint Arepha was returned to life and spent his last days in seclusion, lamenting and repenting for his sins, renouncing all earthly things. The saint passed away no later than 1190. According to the Iconographic Original, he is depicted with a beard in the manner of Kozma and in the robes of a saint. Saint Sisoes, the hermit, is mentioned in the common service as 'having shone in fasting,' while Saint Theophilus is referred to as 'exquisite in miracles.'
