SAINT FEAST DAY 28 DECEMBER: ST THEONAS

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN DECEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 28th of December

WELCOME!

SAINT THEONAS, BISHOP AND CONFESSOR

Saint Theonas succeeded St Maximus in that patriarchal chair of Alexandria in 282, and held it almost nineteen years, being himself, by the shining light of his sanctity and learning, the greatest ornament of that church at a time when it was in both respects most flourishing. 

St Pierius was then priest and catechist in that church, and supported the high reputation of its school, so as to be styled himself the young Origen. 

Among the many works which Pierius left, nothing but some few fragments have reached us. 

"THE DISRESPECT WHICH IS SHOWN TO IMAGES FALLS BACK UPON THAT WHICH THEY REPRESENT"

Photius tells us, that in a book which he wrote upon St Luke’s gospel, he proved that the disrespect which is shown to images falls back upon that which they represent. 

St Theonas himself wrote a useful letter of instruction, how the Christians who lived in the emperor’s court ought to behave; it was addressed to Lucian, first chamberlain to the Emperor Diocletian. 

St Theonas died in 300, and was succeeded by St Peter. St Alexander built in that city a church dedicated to God, under the patronage of St Theonas.

Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints 

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Theonas may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.