St. Theodore of Sykeon was monk and bishop of Anastasiopolis in Galatia. From infancy he was so given to prayer that as a schoolboy he often deprived himself of food to spend time in church. At an early age he shut himself up, first in his mother's cellar and then in a cave under a disused chapel. The desire for isolation led him subsequently to live in a cave in a nearby mountain. He later assumed the monastic habit when on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and received ordination to the priesthood from his bishop. His life was extremely austere, living on vegetables, but of these he partook most sparingly, and wore an iron girdle about his body. He was endowed with the gifts of prophesy and of miracles including those of healing. He was consecrated bishop of Anastasiopolis, but after ten years succeeded in obtaining leave to life as a monk. At this time he was invited by the emperor and the patriarch to visit Constantinople where he miraculously cured the emperor's son of elephantiasis. He returned to Sykeon where he died on May 5, 613.