St Isaakios,
founder of the Monastery of DalmatosCommemorated May 30
The righteous Isaakios was from Syria and came to Constantinople in 374 AD, excelled in the monastic life, and departed to the Lord in 396 AD. According to tradition, his monastery was built by Dalmatos the Patrician, a nephew of St Constantine the Great. However, many say that the monastery was founded by St Isaakios, and afterwards took its name from the Abbot Dalmatos who succeeded St Isaakios. Yet others maintain that it received its name from both of these, and that is why its name in Greek is in the plural. According to Zonaras, the Iconoclast Emperor Constantine Copronymus later turned this monastery into a barracks, "And as for the Monastery called Palmatus, which is ancient and the oldest of all those in Constantinople, after he had expelled the monks, the Emperor made it a barracks for soldiers". The Third Ecumenical Council raised its abbot to the rank of archimandrite and exarch of the prominent monasteries of the imperial city. The famous Cathedral of St Isaac in St Petersburg is dedicated to this Saint.
Dismissal Hymn (Plagal of the Fourth Tone)
The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Father. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Isaakios, your soul rejoices with the angels.
Kontakion (Plagal of the Fourth Tone)
As a faithful favourite of God you became enflamed with zeal for the Church of Christ and drew in the reins of the emperor Valens, O venerable one; you prophetically foretold to him the captivity of the Church and of his own wretched death. Therefore, venerable Isaac, ceaselessly pray for us who honour you.