Venerable (Monastic)4th century

Venerable Theodore the Sanctified

c. 314 – 368

Also known as Theodore, disciple of Pachomius the Great

The beloved disciple and successor of St Pachomius the Great, the first to be ordained priest in the cenobitic brotherhood, who guided the monasteries of the Thebaid after his teacher's repose.

May 16New Calendar

Feast Day

May 29Old Calendar

Suggest a correction Contribute

Icon galleryBrowse icons and imagery elsewhere

Commemorated as

Our Venerable Father Theodore the Sanctified, Disciple of Saint Pachomius the Great

Life

Theodore the Sanctified (c. 314–368) was an Egyptian monk, the foremost disciple of Saint Pachomius the Great, and one of the central figures in the consolidation of cenobitic monasticism in the Thebaid. Born to wealthy Christian parents, he left home around the age of fourteen to seek out Pachomius and entered the community at Tabennisi, where he became known for his obedience and his care for the brethren.

After Pachomius's repose he emerged, following a period of instability in the federation of monasteries known as the Koinonia, as its effective leader, governing the affiliated houses of the Thebaid for many years. His epithet 'the Sanctified' is traditionally connected with his ordination to the priesthood within the cenobitic brotherhood. He is commemorated on May 16.

Kontakion & Troparion2 hymnsReadHide

KontakionTone 2

You flourished like a palm tree in the house of God,
bringing forth the fruit of virtues for the Lord through your ascetic efforts.
Therefore, you are called blest, venerable Father Theodore,
for you are equal to the bodiless ones!

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

TroparionTone 1

Dweller of the desert and angel in the body,
you were shown to be a wonder-worker, our God-bearing Father Theodore.
You received heavenly gifts through fasting, vigil, and prayer:
Healing the sick and the souls of those drawn to you by faith.
Glory to Him who gave you strength!
Glory to Him who granted you a crown!
Glory to Him who through you grants healing to all!

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

Timeline5 momentsReadHide

c. 314Birth in EgyptTheodore was born in Egypt to wealthy and devout Christian parents. Wikipedia situates his birthplace at Esna.
c. 328Entry into monastic lifeAround the age of fourteen he left his family to pursue the monastic vocation, and came to the community of Pachomius the Great at Tabennisi, where he became a devoted disciple.
c. 334Appointed to teach ScriptureAt about twenty years of age Pachomius entrusted him with instructing the monks in Scripture. His youth drew resistance from some senior brethren, whom Pachomius rebuked.
348Repose of PachomiusTheodore attended his teacher in his final illness. Pachomius named Petronius as his successor; leadership of the federation passed through a contested period before Theodore assumed effective direction.
368ReposeTheodore died in 368 at an advanced age.

Contributions & Legacy

3 contributionsReadHide

Leadership of the Thebaid Monasteries

Pachomius appointed Theodore overseer of the monastery at Tabennisi and, in time, placed him at the head of the wider network of Thebaid communities. According to Wikipedia he had earlier been made steward of Tabennese and, by one account, demoted for a lapse in discipline, afterward serving for several years as Pachomius's personal assistant and earning the title 'brothers' comforter.'

When Pachomius died in 348 he designated Petronius as his successor rather than Theodore. After Petronius's death and a period of instability under Horsiesios, Theodore became the de facto leader of the Koinonia, administering the federation from Phbow for roughly eighteen years until his own death.

He was the first in his monastery to be ordained to the priesthood, a circumstance traditionally linked to his epithet 'the Sanctified.' He was also well known to Saint Athanasius, Patriarch of Alexandria.

Writings

Theodore is credited with three sets of instructions preserved in Coptic and two letters, which address the observance of Passover and vigilance against sin.

Veneration

Theodore is commemorated on May 16. He is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Roman Catholic traditions. The OCA synaxarion records that he became renowned for holiness and was credited with miraculous gifts.

Companions2 figuresShowHide

Fellow disciple — whom Pachomius named his successor over the Koinonia before its leadership passed in time to Theodore.

Petroniusof Egypt

Fellow Koinonia leader — who governed the Pachomian federation in the unstable years around Theodore's own direction of it.

Venerable Horsiesiosof Tabennisi

Related Saints2 saintsShowHide

Saints connected to his life, mission, and place in Orthodox tradition.

Teacher — the founder of cenobitic monasticism whose foremost disciple Theodore was, and whom he attended in his final illness.

Pachomiusthe Great

Acquaintance — the Patriarch of Alexandria to whom Theodore, as head of the Thebaid communities, was well known.

Athanasiusthe Great

Browse similar saints by calling and place.

More Desert Fathers62 More Egypt152 More Priests383 More Byzantine Saints1282 More Monastics1353

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints