Editing Theodore the Studite (section)

===Early monastic career===
Following the death of Emperor [[Leo IV the Khazar|Leo IV]] (r. 775–780) in 780, Theodore's uncle Platon, who had lived as a monk in the Symbola Monastery in [[Bithynia]] since 759, visited Constantinople, and persuaded the entire family of his sister, Theoktiste, to likewise take monastic vows. Theodore, together with his father and brothers, sailed back to Bithynia with Platon in 781, where they set about transforming the family estate into a religious establishment, which became known as the Sakkudion Monastery. Platon became abbot of the new foundation, and Theodore was his "right hand." The two sought to order the monastery according to the writings of [[Basil of Caesarea]].<ref>{{harvnb|Pratsch|1998|pp=71–76}}.</ref>

During the period of the regency of [[Irene (empress)|Eirene]], Abbot Platon emerged as a supporter of the [[Patriarch Tarasios of Constantinople|Patriarch Tarasios]], and was a member of Tarasios's iconodule party at the [[Second Council of Nicaea]], where the veneration of icons was declared orthodox. Shortly thereafter Tarasios himself ordained Theodore as a priest. In 794, Theodore became abbot of the Sakkudion Monastery, while Platon withdrew from the daily operation of the monastery and dedicated himself to silence.<ref>{{harvnb|Pratsch|1998|pp=80–81}}.</ref>