Cloud of Witnesses
Reviewed entry
Venerable (Monastic)16th century

Theonas of Thessalonica

second half of the 15th century – c. 1541

Also known as Venerable Theonas Archbishop of Thessalonica

A disciple of Saint James of Kastoria, he lived in the monasteries of Mount Athos, founded the Monastery of Saint Anastasia the Deliverer-from-Potions, and later became Archbishop of Thessalonica.

April 4New Calendar
Feast Day
April 17Old Calendar
Suggest a correctionContribute
Icon galleryBrowse icons and imagery elsewhere
Commemorated as

Our Father among the Saints Theonas, Archbishop of Thessalonica

Life

Theonas was a sixteenth-century monastic and hierarch who served as Archbishop (Metropolitan) of Thessalonica during the period of Ottoman rule. Before his episcopate he was a monk of Mount Athos and the founder and renovator of the Monastery of Saint Anastasia the Pharmacolytria (the "Deliverer-from-Potions") near Thessalonica. He is commemorated by the Orthodox Church on April 4.

The details of his birth are uncertain. According to Saint Nikodemos the Hagiorite, neither the place of his birth nor the names of his parents are known; one tradition associates him with Mytilene on the island of Lesvos. He is thought to have been born in the second half of the fifteenth century. He became a disciple of the New Martyr James (Iakovos) of Kastoria, who is commemorated on November 1.

Troparion1 hymnReadHide
TroparionTone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you.
Hierarch Father Theonas,
entreat Christ our God
that our souls may be saved.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline6 momentsReadHide
  1. 2nd half of 15th c.BirthBorn, by uncertain tradition associated with Mytilene on Lesvos; the place of his birth and the names of his parents are not recorded.
  2. c. 1518–1520Disciple of Saint James of KastoriaLived as a monk at Pantokratoros on Mount Athos, was ordained priest, and joined the brotherhood of Saint James of Kastoria; after James's martyrdom in 1519 he led the brotherhood to Simonopetra.
  3. 1522Renovates the Monastery of Saint AnastasiaLed his brotherhood near Thessalonica and reconstructed the Monastery of Saint Anastasia the Pharmacolytria, where he served as abbot.
  4. c. 1535Archbishop of ThessalonicaElevated to the hierarchical throne of Thessalonica; attested as Metropolitan by 1538.
  5. c. 1541ReposeReposed in peace.
  6. 1821Translation of relicsHis incorrupt relics were carried to Skopelos and then to Esphigmenou Monastery on Mount Athos, later returning to the Monastery of Saint Anastasia.

Contributions & Legacy

4 contributionsReadHide

Monastic Life on Mount Athos

On Mount Athos, Theonas first lived as an ascetic at the Monastery of Pantokratoros, where he was ordained a priest. He afterward joined the brotherhood of Saint James of Kastoria at the Skete of the Honorable Forerunner above the Monastery of Iveron.

By tradition, on Bright Friday in the year 1518 Saint James and his brotherhood departed from Mount Athos, passing through the region of Thessalonica and settling for about a year at the Monastery of the Honorable Forerunner in Dervekista, in Aitolia. After James was martyred on November 1, 1519, leadership of the brotherhood passed to Theonas, who led the community back to the Monastery of Simonopetra on Mount Athos around 1520.

The Monastery of Saint Anastasia

In 1522 Theonas led his brotherhood from Mount Athos to the outskirts of Thessalonica, where they settled at the Monastery of Saint Anastasia the Pharmacolytria and thoroughly reconstructed it. Under his direction the community grew to about one hundred and fifty monks, and the monastery became a notable center of monastic life in the region.

Theonas served as abbot of the Monastery of Saint Anastasia, by various accounts, until about 1535.

Archbishop of Thessalonica

Theonas was raised to the hierarchical throne of Thessalonica, an elevation that the sources place around 1535; he is attested as Metropolitan by 1538. He governed the see during the hardships of the Ottoman occupation. He is thought to have reposed in peace around 1541.

Relics & Shrines

His relics, reported to be incorrupt, were according to tradition translated in a miraculous manner to the Monastery of Saint Anastasia. In 1821 they were carried to the island of Skopelos and thence to the Monastery of Esphigmenou on Mount Athos, and were afterward returned again to the Monastery of Saint Anastasia, where they are kept and venerated.

Member ofReadHide
Synaxis of All Saints of Mount Athos
Synaxis
Companions1 figureShowHide
His spiritual father and the head of the Athonite brotherhood Theonas joined and later led; commemorated November 1.
New Martyr Jamesof Kastoria
Related SaintsShowHide

Browse other saints who share his calling and place.

More Hierarchs580More Bishops702More Monastics1353
Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints