Saint Theophylact lived in Constantinople in the 8th century. He headed the Church of Nicomedia, built churches and hospitals, generously distributed alms, and was the guardian of orphans. When King Leo V the Armenian came to power, holy icons were destroyed throughout the Byzantine Empire, and monks were persecuted. Theophylact of Nicomedia stood up for the sacred objects and predicted the emperor’s imminent death, making him even angrier. Leo the Armenian sent clergymen into exile and imprisoned them in fortresses. The prophecy of Saint Theophylact came true: Emperor Leo the Armenian was killed by his own soldiers on Chrismas Eve. After the restoration of icon veneration, the holy relics of Bishop Theophylact were transferred to Nicomedia.

The icon “Saint Bishop Theophylact” was presented by the academician Pavlov’s father, Pyotr Dmitriyevich Pavlov, to his friend Theophylact Antonovich Orlov. Pyotr Pavlov was a priest, and the academician’s mother also came from a family of clergymen. Faith was one of the most important guiding principles in the Pavlov family, and the priest Theophylact often visited them. He was a great supporter of education, taught Greek at the Ryazan Theological Seminary. Together, Pyotr Pavlov and Theophylact Orlov initiated the opening of a diocesan women’s school in the city of Ryazan, where girls from families of the clergy and the local nobility could receive a decent education, equally as good as that provided in the capital’s women’s institutes.

This dark unframed icon is a full-length portrait of Saint Bishop Theophylact wearing a mantle and holding a staff in his left hand. Above his head is a halo, on top is the inscription “Saint Bishop Theophylact”. Next to the image of the bishop, on a lectern, is an open Book of Gospels. In the upper left corner, there is an image of Christ.

On the back of the icon, there is a dedicatory inscription in Church Slavonic. It was written by Pyotr Pavlov for his friend,