Saint Theophilus the Penitent
memorial
4 February
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Today’s is a particularly interesting saint. Theophilus, whose name means God Lover, was the Archdeacon (HDIC) of Adana in Cilicia (modern Turkey). He was eventually offered the bishopric. Yes, back then, deacons were often elevated to bishop, they're clergy after all, he declined, saying he was not adequate to the task. Other clergy in that see were jealous or politically motivated or both so they started rumors and slandered the good Deacon. The new bishop maybe motivated by jealousy for not being asked to be bishop first, or for other reasons believed this slander and removed him from his position in the Church completely.
Legend says that in anger, Theo signed a pact with the Devil to avenge himself on the bishop and regain his position. He quickly realized the error of his ways and came to his senses, he begged for the help of Our Lady who intervened, recovered the pact, and tore it up. The pact was burned in the public square. This story has figured in many dramas since, most notably Goethe's Faust.
Died
c.538
Representation
archdeacon making a pact with the devil from which he is rescued by the Virgin; sometimes she is shown handing him back the contract
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