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"He was brought up by his pious mother in the practice of the most eminent virtues. Above all things, she recommended him to keep no company but that of the most virtuous. The young man, by his talents and virtue, gained the esteem of all, and was raised to the greatest honours of the empire, being made consul, and afterwards secretary of state to the Emperor Constantine, and the Empress Irene, his mother. In the midst of the court, and of its highest honours, surrounded by all that could flatter pride, or gratify sensuality, he led a life like that of a religious man. Paul, patriarch of Constantinople, touched with the sense of his own weakness, in having conformed in some respects to the errors of the Iconoclasts, who opposed the pious veneration of holy images, quitted the

patriarchal see, and determined to end his days in a monastery, that he might there do penance for his rashness. Being asked whom he thought equal to the charge of succeeding him in the see of Constantinople, he immediately named Tarasius, who was accordingly chosen patriarch, by the unanimous consent of the court, clergy, and people. Being consecrated bishop, his humility was remarkable, in his renouncing all manner of state and superfluity, both as to table and retinue, having that always in his mouth and practice, that he came not to be served, but to serve. charity was great to the poor: his zeal for discipline and reforming abuses, both in clergy and people, wonderful; and his courage apostolic in opposing the errors of his time. He stood up against the iniquity of his prince, who cast off his empress for pretended crimes: for which he suffered confinement for some years; and by his patience in it prepared his soul for the liberty of heaven, to which he was called in the beginning of the ninth century.

Pray for all prelates and pastors; and beseech God that they may be imitators of this glorious saint." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother