THEODORE OF SYKEON, ST.

Byzantine archimandrite, ascetic, and bishop of Anastasioupolis; b. Sykeon, Anatolia, mid-sixth century; d. April 22, 613. Theodore, the illegitimate son of Mary and Cosmas, an imperial messenger, was attracted to asceticism as a child and spent much time in fasting and reading the Scriptures at a neighboring shrine of St. George. Despite the opposition of his mother, he left home permanently at the age of 14. His ascetic labors so impressed Theodosius, bishop of Anastasioupolis, that he was appointed successively lector and subdeacon, and at 18 was a priest. After living some years in a suspended cage, he became archimandrite of the monastery of Sykeon. Reports of his miracles and pious works attracted many people. He reluctantly accepted election as bishop of Anastasioupolis and held that office for 11 years. Concern for his monastery and dislike of his administrative duties induced him to resign his bishopric and return to his monastery for the remainder of his life. His vita was written by a contemporary. His remains were translated to Constantinople.

Feast: April 22.

Bibliography: Acta Sanctorum April 3:32–61. a. butler, The Lives of the Saints, rev. ed. h. thurston and d. attwater, 4v. (New York 1956) 2:146–147. nicephorus sceuophylax, "Encomium in S. Theodorum Siceotam," ed. c. kirch, b. de gaiffier, Analecta Bollandiana 20 (1901) 249–272. e. geŌrgios, Vie de Théodore de Sykéôn (Brussels 1970). j. o. rosenqvist, Studien zur Syntax und Bemerkungen zum Text der Vita Theodori Syceotae (Uppsala 1981). n. h. baynes and e. a. s. dawes, trs., Three Byzantine Saints (Oxford 1948; repr. Crestwood, N.Y. 1996) 87–192.

[w. e. kaegi, jr.]