Stephan of Surozh

Who they were

According to his Greek life, Stephen was a Cappadocian who became bishop of Surosh (Sudak) in the Crimea. He was exiled under Leo III for defending the veneration of images and restored in 740.

In later years he preached to the Slavs and Khazars and, it is said, the Varangians; a late Russian life tells how a Varangian raiding band was scattered by his appearance and its leader converted. He died about 760 and is honoured by the Russians.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

An eighth-century bishop in the Crimea, defender of icons and missionary.

Connected on this site

• Leo III Saint
  “He was exiled under Leo III for defending the veneration of images and restored in 740.” — this site's research