Venerable Martyrs Theodore and Theophanes the Branded

Life

Theodore and Theophanes were blood brothers, natives of Palestine, very educated in worldly wisdom and in spiritual wisdom. Theodore and Theophanes were monks in the community of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified, then presbyters. They suffered cruelly for icons in the time of three emperors: Leo the Armenian, Michael Balbus and Theophilus. The mindless Theophilus beat them with his own hands, and commanded that with iron mocking verses be inscribed upon their faces, because of which they are called the Branded. They were cast into prison in the city of Apamea in Bithynia. Theodore died there from torments and wounds. Theophanes was freed in the time of Theodora and Michael, and appointed by Patriarch Methodius as Metropolitan of Nicaea. Saint Theodore died in the year 833. These wondrous brothers suffered for Christ and received a wondrous reward from Christ in the immortal kingdom of light.