St. Methodius I: Saint of the Day for Sunday, June 14, 2026
Commemorated on June 14, 2026, St. Methodius I is remembered for his defense of icons and his rise to Patriarch of Constantinople after years of imprisonment
St. Methodius I, honored as the Saint of the Day for Sunday, June 14, 2026, was a Patriarch of Constantinople, located in modern-day Istanbul. Born in Syracuse, Sicily, Methodius built a monastery on the island of Chios. After spending some time in Constantinople, he was sent to Rome in 815 to serve as the representative of Patriarch Nicephorus. Nicephorus had been exiled by Emperor Leo V the Armenian for refusing to yield to imperial decrees ordering the destruction of icons.[2]
Methodius returned in 821, only to face severe persecution himself; he was scourged and imprisoned for seven years. His fortunes changed in 842 when Empress Theodora arranged for his elevation as Patriarch. In addition to the commemoration of St. Methodius, June 14, 2026, is also marked as Race Unity Day.[1][2]
