Theoleptos of Philadelphia

Who was Theoleptos of Philadelphia?

Theoleptos of Philadelphia was a monk, archbishop and spiritual writer in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Theoleptos was a strong opponent of the union of the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. which was agreed to at the Council of Lyons in 1274. Because of this, he was imprisoned under the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos. After the death of Michael VIII, Theoleptos was released and later became Metropolitan of Philadelphia in 1284. Philadelphia was an early Christian community and is one of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

Some of Theoleptos’ writings are found in the Philokalia but most of his writings remained unpublished until recently. The writings of Theoleptos are a great contribution towards modern understanding of Byzantine mysticism and theology just prior to the Hesychast controversy.