Persecution

In the mid-8^th century, under Emperor Constantine V, persecution against supporters of the icons intensified. In 765, Theophanis Lardotyros, Governor of Crete, summoned a monk named Paul to the ‘praetorium of Herakleion'. Though it remains unknown whether this was a place name or the praetorium of Emperor Herakleios, Paul had clearly gained a reputation on account of his iconodule convictions. When he refused to obey the commander's orders and tread on an icon of Christ, Lardotyros ordered that he be burnt at the stake.