Saint Theodore the Recruit was … a “Cyprianite”!

Nikolaos Mannis | February 27, 2026

 

 

Among the many accusations (whether public or covert) that have been launched against the present writer is that he happens to be a “Cyprianite.” The accusers, of course, when speaking of “Cyprianism,” mean the patristic teaching which we received from Saint Chrysostomos, formerly of Florina, namely, that we should not regard those subject to judgment as automatically outside the Church when they fall into some false doctrine, but should accept their institutional role (despite temporary non-communion with them) until the convocation of a competent Synod.

To these accusers I fraternally recommend that they read the Synaxarion of the Saturday of the First Week of the Fast, in which is included the Miracle of the Kollyva of Saint Theodore the Recruit. As is well known, the apostate emperor Julian defiled the food of the City (he sprinkled it with the blood of pagan sacrifices) in order to contaminate the Christians. But (the Synaxarion continues),

“the all-seeing eye of God, which seizes the wise in their craftiness, and ever provides for us His servants, also dissolved the impure schemes of the Apostate against us; for to Eudoxios, the Archbishop of the City—though not holding correct doctrine, yet possessing the dignity—He sends His great prize-bearing athlete Theodore, he who was from the corps of the Tyronian regiment, being called the Tyro [i.e., Recruit]. And indeed, appearing to him in waking vision and not in a dream, he spoke thus: ‘Rise with all haste, gather together the flock of Christ, and command with certainty that no one purchase anything whatsoever from what is set forth in the marketplace; for these things have been defiled with the blood of sacrifices by the most impious emperor.’ And when he was perplexed and asked, ‘How would this be easy for those who do not have provisions readily at home, so as not to buy from what is set forth in the marketplace?’ the Saint, providing kollyva, said to him, ‘Relieve their need with these.’ And when he remained perplexed and, not knowing what these might be, inquired what the kollyva were, the great Theodore said: ‘Boiled wheat; for thus we are accustomed to call it in Euchaita.’ And when the Patriarch sought to ascertain who it was that thus provided for the people called by Christ’s name, the Saint again said: ‘I am Theodore, the Martyr of Christ, who has now been sent by Him as your helper.’ Thereupon the Patriarch immediately arose and, having announced to the multitude what had been seen, and having thus acted, preserved the flock of Christ undefiled from the scheme of the enemy and apostate.”

To whom did Saint Theodore appear in order to protect the faithful? To Eudoxios! Do you know who Eudoxios was, dear “anti-Cyprianites”? Eudoxios was the official Patriarch (Archbishop) of Constantinople during the years 360–369 (and naturally also during the period when Julian reigned, that is, during the years 360–363), who, however, was Arian-minded and led the then very powerful faction of the Homoeans (owing to the support of the previous emperor, Constantius). The Eudoxians were officially condemned by the Second Ecumenical Council — see Canon I. The Genuine Orthodox of Constantinople at that time (whom Saint Gregory the Theologian came to shepherd in 369 as Bishop of Sasima) were “few and disorganized, having no ecclesiastical organization, and not a single church belonged to them, all having been seized by their opponents” (Basil of Anchialos [later of Smyrna], On Saint Gregory the Theologian, Athens, 1903).

Why did Saint Theodore not appear to some G.O.C. of that time, but rather to the heresy-minded and potentially heretical (by penalty) Eudoxios? Because he then represented the institution! And how does the Saint refer to the followers of the official Church? “The flock of Christ”! Whereas today’s G.O.C., the simple faithful who follow the official Church, not only call them “schismo-heretics,” but even rebaptize them as though they were not Christians at all!

Brethren, things are very simple. Yes, we must separate ourselves from heresy-minded Bishops so as not to be condemned together with them, but we must not usurp the judgment of the competent Synod and consider them outside the Church and without Divine Grace and Mysteries.

Our Saints (Chrysostomos of Florina, Ieronymos of Aegina, John of Amfiali, and others) held this view, in contrast to Matthew, Kalliopios, Kallinikos, and that ill-starred company…

 

Greek source: https://krufo-sxoleio.blogspot.com/2026/02/blog-post_27.html