Saint Tarasius
Stored in Cargo: Saint Tarasius
| Saint Tarasius | |
| Feast Day | February 25 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | |
| Birthplace | Constantinople, Byzantine Empire |
| Death Place | Constantinople, Byzantine Empire |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Hagia Sophia, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) |
St. Tarasius was the Patriarch of Constantinople from 784 to 806, playing a pivotal role during the period of iconoclasm in the Eastern Church[1].
He is celebrated for his convening of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (Second Council of Nicaea) in 787, which officially restored the veneration of icons[2].
Before his ecclesiastical career, Tarasius was a layman and statesman, which made his appointment to the patriarchate unusual but significant for church unity[3].
Biography
Birth
Tarasius was born around 730 in Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire[1].
Early Life
He was well-educated and from a prominent family, receiving a classical education[2].
Occupation
Prior to his religious career, he served as a high-ranking lay official in the imperial administration[3], including the role of imperial secretary (asekretis).
Vocation
He was chosen as Patriarch of Constantinople in 784, initially reluctant but accepted under the condition that an ecumenical council be convened to settle the iconoclast controversy[1].
Death
He died on February 25, 806, in Constantinople from natural causes[2].
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Constantinople, Byzantine Empire
Death location: Constantinople, Byzantine Empire
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Death
St. Tarasius died peacefully in Constantinople, having served the Church for over two decades.
Canonization
Servant of God
St. Tarasius was not formally recognized as a Servant of God through modern processes; he was recognized as such by tradition[1].
Venerable
Not applicable; recognized as a saint by tradition[1].
Beatification
Not formally beatified; recognized as a saint by the early Church[1].
Canonization
Canonized by tradition; no formal canonization date as he was recognized as a saint from early Christian times[1].
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No specific miracles are recorded for his beatification; his sanctity was recognized based on his life and works[1].
Miracle for canonization
Not applicable; his sainthood is based on tradition and early Church recognition[1].
Other notable miracles
- While not known for specific miracles, his life was celebrated for defending the faith and restoring icon veneration[2].
Patronage
No specific patronage is widely attributed to St. Tarasius.
Feast day
His feast day is celebrated on February 25[1].
Veneration
St. Tarasius is venerated in both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches for his role in church unity and the defense of icon veneration. His relics were once housed in Hagia Sophia, though their current location is unclear due to historical events[2].
Books
Written about the saint
- His life and contributions are documented in church histories and hagiographies, but no specific modern books were listed[2].
Written by the saint
- St. Tarasius did not leave any known written works[2].