Saint · 758
Theodore the Studite
New Calendar November 11 Old Calendar November 24
Why they are a saint
Saint Theodore the Confessor, Abbot of the Studion was born in the year 758 at Constantinople into a family of the imperial tax-collector Photinus and his spouse Theoctiste, both pious Christians. The Orthodox Church commemorates Theodore the Studite on November 11.
Life
Saint Theodore the Studite was born in 758 in Constantinople to pious parents, Photinus and Theoctiste, who later gave their goods to the poor and became monastics. Well educated, he became known for his debates in defence of the holy icons against the Iconoclasts.
When he declared the emperor Constantine VI excommunicated for violating the Church's rules on marriage, he was exiled to Thessalonica with ten monks. In 796 the empress Irene freed him and made him igumen of the Studion monastery in Constantinople. He suffered further for the icons under the Iconoclast emperors. He fell asleep in the Lord in 826 as the brethren sang the Canon for the Departure of the Soul, and his relics were transferred from Cherson to Constantinople in 845.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source says those with stomach ailments ask his help, and that those invoking him have been delivered from fires and wild beasts.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Theodore the Studite as a patron when they bear the name Theodore at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on November 11. Greek Orthodox faithful also honor his as one of their own.
Prayer
O holy Theodore the Studite, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.