February 25, 2022
St. Tarasius lived in the Byzantine Empire during the eighth century. At first he was secretary to the Emperor Constantine and Constantine’s mother, Irene.
Later when Paul IV, Patriarch of Constantinople, died, an assembly was held to discuss his replacement. The people, who had come to know Tarasius from his defense of venerating sacred images, wanted Tarasius to be their new Patriarch. Tarasius gave a speech proclaiming himself unworthy of such…