Reverend Peter

Coming from a noble family of patricians, Peter received a brilliant education and became a prominent military commander in the army of Emperor Nicephorus. At the beginning of the 9th century he participated in wars with Bulgaria. In one of the battles, the Byzantines suffered a crushing defeat. The emperor was wounded and soon died, most of the Bulgarian army was captured. Peter was among those captured. At night, while he was praying, John the Theologian appeared to him and brought him out of the camp. The guards miraculously missed Peter.
With gratitude for his liberation, Peter decided to depart from the world and lead the life of a monk. He retired to Mount Olympus, and took tonsure in the monastery, which was located there. Peter spent 34 years in the monastery, observing strict fasting, constantly staying in prayer. The saint did not wear shoes at all, and under the tunic he had a stiff hair. Then, in prayer, he received the revelation that it was time for him to move to Constantinople and establish a monastery there.
By relying on God’s will, Peter did so. The last 8 years he spent in his monastery, in the capital of Byzantium. He died when he was 70, in 854, and was buried in the monastery he founded.