Venerable Lazarus the Iconographer (+c. 857)

The Venerable Lazarus the Iconographer took up the monastic struggle from his youth. He lived a strict, ascetic life, fasting and praying without ceasing, and he was also distinguished by wonderful compassion. For his God-pleasing labours and pious life Lazarus was ordained priest. The Lord’s chosen one was known as one of the finest iconographers. For this, in the time of the iconoclast Emperor Theophilus (829–842), he was seized and, after cruel tortures, thrown into prison. Certain death awaited the blessed one, but through the intervention of the Empress Theodora (842–855) he escaped punishment. The Venerable Lazarus reposed in peace in 857, while returning from Rome with an embassy sent to Pope Benedict III (855–858) on church affairs. The holy relics of the Lord’s chosen one were translated to Constantinople.