The following is a summary of the Synaxarion on the Sunday of Orthodoxy which can be read in full here.

Emperor Leo the Isaurian, who persecuted the Orthodox Icon-veneraters mercilessly, was originally a mule-driver, or swine-herd (!), according to other sources. As he was resting from his manual work one day, three Jewish sorcerers approached him, telling him they could make him a great man – if only he would promise to do whatever they asked him to do. He readily promised, being an uneducated man. After all, they said they would make him – Emperor of the Byzantine Empire!

Twelve years later, Leo the Isaurian did indeed become Emperor. The three Jews then came to him, asking that he do according to their former agreement. They said they were only concerned for his and his subjects’ spiritual health….they explained that their books prohibited any bowing down to the “boards and walls” (that is, icons), and that Emperor Leo should ban this practice. Leo readily agreed. But Patriarch Germanos did not! The Patriarch’s librarian and teachers provided evidence of all the miracles that had occurred through the holy icons. Leo remained silent – but then burned down the library, with its scholars inside, and then persecuted the rest of the Orthodox world…

The Jewish sorcerers successfully caused havoc in the Church of Christ, compelled by the devil because of the curse they had brought on themselves for generations by crucifying God….Now stop to think…Who is causing havoc in the Church of Christ today? Who is compelling the Patriarchs and Bishops, down to the least Priest or Deacon, to accept the heresy of Ecumenism?

Another Emperor Leo (the Armenian) was convinced to persecute the holy icons by a supposed holy hermit, and elder who lived in a faraway cave. His adviser (who happened to also aspire to the throne…) suggested that Leo send gifts to the hermit. Unknown to Leo, it was this advisor Theophilos who had put his friend, a monk in dress only, in the cave, to impersonate a “holy elder”! Much to Leo’s surprise, the elder would not accept gifts from the Emperor – because he would not accept anything from an idolater (!). Theophilos suggested they both go to see the hermit to understand what this accusation was about. Therefore, they both set out, inkognito, in the dark. In order to test the hermit, Theophilos suggested the change clothes – so that he, Theophilos, would appear to be the Emperor, and Leo just a servant. Leo agreed to this also. And to confirm his faith in the “elder”, the old man immediately knew the clothing to be wrong, despite it being very dark night when the two arrived at his cave! This was enough to convince Leo the Armenian to persecute the icons….

The same Theophilos eventually succeeded to the throne (by his cunning). He persecuted with vehemence – his own wife, Theodora, who secretly venerated the icons. But God punished the man. He died a terrible death – but with a miraculous repentance! Theodora then restored the holy icons, which is the event we are celebrating on the Sunday of Orthodoxy.

The struggle between good and evil is always concentrated further at the peak of power – this was the case in the 7th century, and it is the case today. Persons who have sold their soul to the devil direct affairs behind the scenes with much cunning and deception. Few know about the servants of Satan, they act secretly, and yet they cast the entire Church of Christ and the simple people into terrible troubles!

Orthodoxy prevailed at the 7th Ecumenical Council thanks to Empress Theodora.

But today, there are not Emperors or pious Queens who could assist the Church to re-establish order. Let every Christian choose who he wishes to follow – the heretical Bishops, who are at best led astray by the servants of Satan, and at worst, are themselves apostates and servants of this anti-god – OR – the Martyrs and Saints of all times!