Saint Justinian, Emperor of Byzantium, was born in the village of Verdiane, near the city of Sredets, in present-day Bulgaria. He is renowned for his successful wars, the issuance of a complete collection of Roman laws, and his care for the Christian Church. He closed the pagan schools in Athens, commanded monks to teach sciences, and sent Bishop John to Asia Minor, where he baptized up to 70,000 pagans and built up to 90 churches.
Justinian defended Orthodoxy against Nestorians and Monophysites, composed the hymn "Only-Begotten Son and Word of God," and convened the Fifth Ecumenical Council in 553 to condemn Nestorian teachings. He cared for the liturgy and the beauty of churches, established the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, Baptism, and other feasts. He built many churches, among which is the famous Church of Saint Sophia in Constantinople.
In private life, he displayed great piety, observing the Great Lent with strict abstinence. He reigned for 39 years and peacefully passed away on November 14, 565. For his merits, he was canonized as a saint, and along with him, his wife, Empress Theodora, who, having repented, spent the rest of her life in purity and piety, was also canonized.
