Bishop
Born of pious parents in Palestine, he had a brother Theodore, who became known as the Scribbler. He learned the wisdom of books and became a philosopher. Leaving the world, he came to the Lavra of Saint Savva the Sanctified and dedicated himself to the monastic life, excelling in prayers and virtues. He was honored with the priestly rank.
During the persecutions against holy icons, he was sent by the Jerusalem Patriarch Saint Nicephorus to Emperor Leo the Armenian to denounce his wickedness. He suffered much from the emperors Leo, Michael the Amorian, and Theophilus, including tortures, hunger, and exiles. Saint Theodore, his brother, passed away during the persecutions, while Theophanes lived to see the restoration of peace in the Church.
After the restoration of the veneration of icons under Michael III, he was returned from exile and ordained by Patriarch Methodius to the metropolitan see of the Nicene Church. He composed a canon on the veneration of holy icons and left many useful writings. He died around the year 850 after many painful struggles and now rejoices in the heavenly abodes.
