Michael of Synnada
Michael of Synnada (Michael the Confessor) (died 818) was a bishop of Synnada from 784.[1]
Life [edit]
Michael was much influenced by Patriarch Tarasios of Constantinople, who sent him to a monastery on the coast of the Black Sea. An associate of Saint Theophylact of Nicomedia, once during a harvest in a time of drought, they caused rainfall through their prayers. [2]
Patriarch Tarasius consecrated Michael Bishop of the city of Synnada. He was present at the Seventh Ecumenical Council at Nicea in 787.[2] At the request of the Emperor, he visited Caliph Harun al-Rashid to conduct peace negotiations.[3] He also carried out diplomatic missions for Byzantium at the court of Charlemagne.
He clashed with the Emperor Leo the Armenian over Leo's policy of iconoclasm, and was exiled,[2] where he died in want and poverty, faithful to Orthodoxy to the end.[3]
He died in 818.[3]
Veneration [edit]
He is an Orthodox and Roman Catholic[4] saint. His feast day is celebrated on May 23.[2] He is invoked for protection of crops from pests. [5]
St. Michael is depicted with St. Athanasius in the Icon of the Mother of God “Economissa”.[6]
References [edit]
- ^ Steven Bigham (editor),Heroes of the Icon: People, Places, Events (2000), p. 111.
- ^ a b c d "St Michael the Confessor the Bishop of Synnada", Orthodox Church in America
- ^ a b c "St Michael, Bishop of Synnada", Serbian Orthodox Church
- ^ Saint of the Day, May 23
- ^ "List of Saints Called Upon for Special Purposes", Orthodox Prayer
- ^ Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
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