The Monk Theodoulos

Commemorated on January 14

The Monk Theodoulos was the son of the Monk Nilos the Faster (Comm. 12 November), and he recorded the slaughter of the holy fathers at Raipha in the V Century. While still a lad, the Monk Theodoulos withdrew to Mount Sinai together with his father, leaving behind the world. During the time of the assault of the barbarians against the wilderness dwellers the monk fell into the hands of brigands, who decided to offer the youth in sacrifice to the morning dawn, which they worshipped in place of God. But the Lord saved the lad through the fervent prayer of his father, the Monk Nilos: the barbarians overslept the moment of sunrise, and having given up on making of him a sacrificial offering, they carried off the youth with them. Brought by the brigands to the city of Eluza, the Monk Theodoulos was ransomed by the local bishop, in the house of whom he was later found by his thankful father. Blessed by the bishop and presbyters, the Monks Theodoulos and Nilos returned to Mount Sinai, where they served the Lord til the end of their days. Their incorrupt remains were transferred to Tsargrad (Constantinople) under the emperor Justin the Younger (565-578) and placed in the church named for the holy Apostles at Orphanotropheia.