The Monk Theodore the Trikhinian

Commemorated on April 20

      The Monk Theodore the Trikhinian was born into a rich Constantinople family. In his youth he withdrew into a wilderness monastery in Thrace and accepted monasticism. The monk was strict in fasting, and he wore only a coarse prickly hairshirt, which was called a "trikhinia" ("vlasyanitsa"). This name also was given to the monastery in which he pursued asceticism. During his life the monk worked many miracles and healings. After his death there flowed from his holy relics a salubrious myrrh, which healed many of the sick and cast out impure spirits.
      The years during which the monk Theodore lived is unknown.

© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.