Makarios of Pelekete
byzantine monk and abbot (c. 750 – 840)
Makarios the Confessor, Abbot of Pelekete (Greek: Μακάριος, born Christophoros, c. 750 – 18 August 840), was a Byzantine monk and iconodule who is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church. He is known for his time as the abbot of Monastery of St John the Theologian of Pelekete, and for his conflict with, and persecution by the iconoclast Emperors Leo V the Armenian, Michael II, and Theophilos.
Background
Makarios was born in Constantinople around the middle of the eight century. Before he was tonsured, his name was Christophoros. He was orphaned as a young child, and was brought up by his uncle, who encouraged him to marry as early as he was able. Christophoros rejected this proposal, and retreated to an isolated church, whose priest gave him spiritual instruction, and eventually sent him to embrace monasticism at the Monastery of St John the Theologian of Pelekete. Here he was tonsured with the name Makarios, and he soon distinguished himself through obedience and humility. He was eventually made abbot of the monastery, and was confirmed in this office, and ordained, by Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople.
Makarios' biographer, who identifies himself as Sabas, claims that Emperor Leo IV promised to raise Makarios to a respectable position in the palace if he became an iconoclast, but Makarios refused. Makarios served as abbot in peace for around 15 years, before Emperor Leo V the Armenian began to enforce iconoclastic policy.
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