SKU: 8548267105

St. Philaret the Merciful icon (2)

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St. Philaret the Merciful icon (2)Orthodox icon of Saint Philaret, Philaretos the Merciful. Protector Saint of Beekeepers. Commemorated December 1. Righteous Philaret the Merciful, son of George and Anna, was raised in piety and the fear of God. He lived during the eighth century in the village of Amnia in the Paphlagonian district of Asia Minor. His wife, Theoseba, was from a rich and illustrious family, and they had three children: a son John, and daughters Hypatia and Evanthia.

Orthodox icon of Saint Philaret, Philaretos the Merciful.

Protector Saint of Beekeepers.

Commemorated December 1.

Righteous Philaret the Merciful, son of George and Anna, was raised in piety and the fear of God. He lived during the eighth century in the village of Amnia in the Paphlagonian district of Asia Minor. His wife, Theoseba, was from a rich and illustrious family, and they had three children: a son John, and daughters Hypatia and Evanthia. Philaret was a rich and illustrious dignitary, but he did not hoard his wealth. Knowing that many people suffered from poverty, he remembered the words of the Savior about the dread Last Judgment and about these least ones (Mt. 25:40); the Apostle Paul's reminder that we will take nothing with us from this world (1 Tim 6:7); and the assertion of King David that the righteous would not be forsaken (Ps 36/37:25).

Philaret, whose name means lover of virtue, was famed for his love for the poor. One day Ishmaelites [Arabs] attacked Paphlagonia, devastating the land and plundering the estate of Philaret. There remained only two oxen, a donkey, a cow with her calf, some beehives, and the house. But he also shared them with the poor. His wife reproached him for being heartless and unconcerned for his own family. Mildly, yet firmly he endured the reproaches of his wife and the jeers of his children. I have hidden away riches and treasure, he told his family, so much that it would be enough for you to feed and clothe yourselves, even if you lived a hundred years without working.

The saint's gifts always brought good to the recipient. Whoever received anything from him found that the gift would multiply, and that person would become rich. Knowing this, a certain man came to St Philaret asking for a calf so that he could start a herd. The cow missed its calf and began to bellow. Theoseba said to her husband, You have no pity on us, you merciless man, but don't you feel sorry for the cow? You have separated her from her calf.

The saint praised his wife, and agreed that it was not right to separate the cow and the calf. Therefore, he called the poor man to whom he had given the calf and told him to take the cow as well. That year there was a famine, so St Philaret took the donkey and went to borrow six bushels of wheat from a friend of his. When he returned home, a poor man asked him for a little wheat, so he told his wife to give the man a bushel.

Theoseba said, First you must give a bushel to each of us in the family, then you can give away the rest as you choose. Philaretos then gave the man two bushels of wheat. Theoseba said sarcastically, Give him half the load so you can share it. The saint measured out a third bushel and gave it to the man. Then Theoseba said, Why don't you give him the bag, too, so he can carry it?He gave him the bag. The exasperated wife said, Just to spite me, why not give him all the wheat. St Philaret did so. Now the man was unable to lift the six bushels of wheat, so Theoseba told her husband to give him the donkey so he could carry the wheat home.

Blessing his wife, Philaret gave the donkey to the man, who went home rejoicing. Theoseba and the children wept because they were hungry. The Lord rewarded Philaret for his generosity: when the last measure of wheat was given away, a old friend sent him forty bushels. Theoseba kept most of the wheat for herself and the children, and the saint gave away his share to the poor and had nothing left. When his wife and children were eating, he would go to them and they gave him some food. Theoseba grumbled saying, How long are you going to keep that treasure of yours hidden? Take it out so we can buy food with it.

During this time the Byzantine empress Irene (797-802) was seeking a bride for her son, the future emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitos (780-797). Therefore, emissaries were sent throughout all the Empire to find a suitable girl, and the envoys came to Amneia. When Philaret and Theoseba learned that these most illustrious guests were to visit their house, Philaret was very happy, but Theoseba was sad, for they did not have enough food. But Philaret told his wife to light the fire and to decorate their home.

Their neighbors, knowing that imperial envoys were expected, brought everything required for a rich feast. The envoys were impressed by the saint's daughters and granddaughters. Seeing their beauty, their deportment, their clothing, and their admirable qualities, the envoys agreed that Philaret granddaughter, Maria was exactly what they were looking for. This Maria exceeded all her rivals in quality and modesty and indeed became Constantine's wife, and the emperor rewarded Philaret. Thus fame and riches returned to Philaret. But just as before, this holy lover of the poor generously distributed alms and provided a feast for the poor.

He and his family served them at the meal. Everyone was astonished at his humility and said: This is a man of God, a true disciple of Christ. He ordered a servant to take three bags and fill one with gold, one with silver, and one with copper coins. When a beggar approached, Philaret ordered his servant to bring forth one of the bags, whichever God's providence would ordain. Then he would reach into the bag and give to each person, as much as God willed. St Philaret refused to wear fine clothes, nor would he accept any imperial rank. He said it was enough for him to be called the grandfather of the Empress.

The saint reached ninety years of age and knew his end was approaching. He went to the Rodolpheia (The Judgment) monastery in Constantinople. He gave some gold to the Abbess and asked her to allow him to be buried there, saying that he would depart this life in ten days. He returned home and became ill. On the tenth day he summoned his family, he exhorted them to imitate his love for the poor if they desired salvation. Then he fell asleep in the Lord.

He died in the year 792 and was buried in the Rodolpheia Judgment monastery in Constantinople. The appearance of a miracle after his death confirmed the sainthood of Righteous Philaret. As they bore the body of the saint to the cemetery, a certain man, possessed by the devil, followed the funeral procession and tried to overturn the coffin. When they reached the grave, the devil threw the man down on the ground and went out of him.

Many other miracles and healings also took place at the grave of the saint. After the death of the righteous Philaret, his wife Theoseba worked at restoring monasteries and churches devastated during a barbarian invasion.

Reference: O.C.A.

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Aliston Jewell
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect toddler summer sandal!
Size: 6 Toddler, Color: Navy, Size: 6 Toddler, Color: Navy
My toddler loves them. Even though they are a little big for him (which I meant to buy a bigger size) the adjustable strap allows me tighten them enough so he doesn’t slide. Color goes with everything! Perfect summer shoe!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2025
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LindseyLove
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 4
I liked them, toddler did not
Size: 7 Toddler, Color: Navy
I thought these were cute shoes. They were sturdy, protective, and flexible for little walkers. And they were pretty soft on the inside to wear without socks. Unfortunately, my two year old did not agree. He cried "don't like it" and immediately ripped them off every time I tried them on him. Maybe it's just my picky son. TTS/half size big.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024
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Amazon Customer
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect for Toddlers
Size: 8 Toddler, Color: Navy
These are great for toddlers! Keeps my grandson’s toes safe yet cooler than sneakers for the summer. He loves them!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2026
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Sashunia
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Great looking shoe!
Size: 11 Little Kid, Color: Tan, Size: 11 Little Kid, Color: Tan
We got these sandals specifically for our Caribbean vacation over thanksgiving break. They run true to size but I did get them one size bigger to hopefully last for next summer as well. They look great on and go with everything! My son said they feel very comfortable on his feet and he likes easy on/off due to Velcro closure.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2025
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Amy Kim
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I recently purchased the Stride Rite 360 Boy's Paddy Sandal for my son, and I couldn't be happier with my decision! From the moment he slipped his feet into these sandals, I could tell we were both going to be very pleased. Comfort & Fit: 5/5 - The Paddy Sandal has surpassed all expectations in terms of comfort and fit. The adjustable straps make it incredibly easy to get a snug, perfect fit for my son's feet, ensuring the sandals stay securely on, no matter how much running and jumping he does. The soles are cushioned just right, offering support without sacrificing flexibility, which is essential for a growing child. Durability: 5/5 - Stride Rite has always been synonymous with quality, and these sandals are no exception. They've endured days at the park, sandy beaches, and endless pavement adventures, yet they show minimal wear and tear. The materials are top-notch, promising many more months of active use. Ease of Use: 5/5 - For busy parents, the ease with which these sandals can be put on and taken off is a huge relief. The hook and loop closure is strong and stays in place, but it's simple enough for my son to handle on his own, fostering his independence. Overall Experience: 5/5 - It's rare to find a shoe that ticks all the boxes for both parent and child, but the Stride Rite 360 Boy's Paddy Sandal does just that. They've been a fantastic investment in my son's summer wardrobe and overall comfort during his daily activities. I would highly recommend these sandals to any parent looking for a reliable, comfortable, and stylish option for their child. Stride Rite has outdone themselves once again!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2024

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