An ascetic who confronted the Arian emperor Valens and foretold his downfall during the persecution of the Orthodox. He later founded the Dalmaton Monastery in Constantinople and is honored as a confessor of the faith.
Feast Day
March 22
Also May 30, Aug 3
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Our Venerable Father Isaac the Confessor, Founder of the Monastery of Dalmatos
Life
Isaac was an ascetic who, during the reign of the Arian emperor Valens, left his solitude to confront the emperor over his persecution of the Orthodox. He warned Valens of his coming downfall, and when the emperor perished after the Battle of Adrianople in 378 the prophecy was held to be fulfilled.
Released and honored under the emperor Theodosius I, Isaac became the first head of a monastery founded for him within Constantinople. After his disciple Dalmatus succeeded him, the house came to be known as the Monastery of Dalmatos, and Isaac received the epithet "of Dalmatos." He is honored as a confessor of the faith, with his principal feast on May 30 and further commemorations on March 22 and August 3.
Timeline 4 moments
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378Confrontation with ValensAs the emperor Valens, an adherent of Arianism, marched against the Goths, Isaac left his hermitage and repeatedly urged him to restore the churches to the Orthodox. When Valens refused and had him imprisoned, Isaac foretold that the emperor would be captured and burned alive.
August 9, 378The Battle of AdrianopleAt the Battle of Adrianople the Goths defeated the imperial army. Valens fled and, according to the account, perished by fire in a barn where he had taken shelter, fulfilling Isaac's prophecy.
378-381Release and the founding of the monasteryUnder the emperor Theodosius I, who restored the Orthodox faith, Isaac was released from prison. A man named Saturninus built a monastery for him within Constantinople, where Isaac served as its first head.
c. 383ReposeBefore his death Isaac appointed his disciple Dalmatus as his successor, and the monastery afterward took his name. The synaxarion places his repose around the year 383, though some accounts give a later date.
Contributions & Legacy
3 contributions
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Confrontation with Valens
The emperor Valens (364-378) supported the Arian cause and acted against the defenders of the Nicene faith. According to the tradition, Isaac, who had been living as a hermit in the wilderness near Constantinople, came into the city to confront the emperor as he set out on campaign against the Goths.
Isaac repeatedly pressed Valens to open the churches to the Orthodox and restore their freedom. When the emperor would not relent he warned of divine punishment, and the account relates that after Valens had him cast into a deep pit he was delivered and reappeared to prophesy that the emperor would be captured and burned alive.
On August 9, 378, the Goths routed the imperial army at the Battle of Adrianople. Valens fled into the countryside and died as Isaac had foretold, perishing by fire in a barn where he had sought refuge.
The Monastery of Dalmatos
With the accession of Theodosius I and the restoration of the Orthodox faith, Isaac was freed from prison and held in honor. A wealthy man named Saturninus built a monastery for him within Constantinople, and Isaac became its first head.
Isaac was numbered among the Orthodox who upheld the faith at the time of the Second Ecumenical Council in 381. Before his repose he appointed his disciple Dalmatus to succeed him, and the house thereafter became known as the Monastery of Dalmatos, the epithet by which Isaac himself is remembered.
Veneration
Isaac is honored as a confessor for his stand against the Arian persecution under Valens. He is commemorated on May 30 as his principal feast, and also on March 22 and on August 3, the latter together with Saints Dalmatus and Faustus among the fathers of the Dalmatos monastery.
His companions & kin
Isaac's disciple, whom he appointed to succeed him as head of the monastery; the house took its later name, Dalmatos, from him.
Dalmatus
Notes
Founder of the Dalmaton Monastery; also commemorated May 30 and Aug 3. Principal feast May 30 (also Aug 3 with the Dalmatos fathers). Also commemorated Aug 3 with Sts Dalmatus and Faustus.
Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints
