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Saint Makarios the Confessor, Abbot of Pelekete (Greek: Μακάριος, born Christóphoros, 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.

His biographer, Sabbas, claims to be his successor at the monastery on Aphousia. Sabbas is surprisingly reluctant to condemn the emperors who persecuted Makarios, suggesting that he was writing during the reign of Theophilos. Based on this information, Tatiana A. Senina suggests a publication date between 836 and 842.

Birth
Christóphoros, later Makarios, was born some time around the middle of the 8th century. The Dumbarton Oaks Hagiography Database gives 760-840 as the years of Makarios' life, but there is not sufficient evidence to establish these dates in the referenced sources.

The authors of the German Prosopography of the Byzantine World point out that in his correspondences with Saint Theodore the Studite, Theodore addresses Makarios as someone older than him, suggesting a birth year before 759.

The authors of the Prosopography also propose a birth date as early as 1752. This is based on a passage in the original Greek publication of his life which describes Makarios receiving "the devil's ordination," ("τὴν ‌τοῦ ‌διαβόλου χειροτονίαν,") This would mean that he was initially ordained before the Second Council of Nicaea re-affirmed iconodulism, and that his ordination by Saint Tarasios was a re-ordination. In fact, this is based on a misprint in the original Greek publication of Makarios' Vita. Instead of reading "τὴν ‌τοῦ ‌διαβόλου χειροτονίαν" ("the devil's ordination," the original manuscript reads "τὴν ‌τοῦ ‌διακόνου χειροτονίαν" ("the ordination of a deacon.") Additionally, even if Makarios was originally ordained by iconoclasts, the iconodules at the Second Council of Nicaea chose to recognize ordinations by heretics, so he would not have been re-ordained by Tarasios. Thus, Makarios' ordination likely took place after 787, but before the end of Patriarch Tarasios' tenure in 806. Orthodox canon law would have required Makarios to be at least thirty years old at his ordination, and considering that Sabbas notes that he had been an abbot for some time at this point, a birth-year in the late 750s is most likely.

Early Life
He was born in Constantinople to a noble family, and having been orphaned at a young age, was raised primarily by his uncle. His uncle encouraged him to marry, but wishing to pursue monastic life, he fled to a small cell near a chapel. He refused to see anyone except the local priest, with whom he shared his desire to embrace monasticism. The priest encouraged him, and directed him to the Monastery of St John the Theologian of Pelekete. Here he became a monk, and received the name Makarios.

OLD Background
Saint Makarios was born in Constantinople around the middle of the eight century. Before he was tonsured, his name was Christóphoros. 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 to. Christóphoros 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 Saint Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople.

Saint 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 the Saint refused. Makarios served as abbot in peace for around 15 years, before Emperor Leo V The Armenian began to enforce iconoclastic policy. The Emperor is said to have promised him honours and riches in exchange for the support of his monastery. Makarios replied: "Honours and riches have no value for me. As for the sufferings endured for the true Faith, it is with pleasure that I will submit to all you find for me, and plenty more as well." In response, the emperor subjected him to various tortures, and sent him to prison. He remained imprisoned until the death of Leo V, when he was released by his successor, Michael the Stammerer (Or Michael II.) He lived for some time with the exiled Patriarch of Constantinople, Saint Nikephoros.

He was eventually sent into exile on the island of Aphousia by Emperor Theophilos, who had renewed the assault on iconography. He died there on the 18th of August.