Methodius was actually born in Italy, but after his studies were finished he decided to go to Constantinople to work for the Emperor. On his way there, he met a monk who taught him all about God and how much he loves us. Methodius learned that he could be very happy by giving up everything he had and living for God. He joined a monastery and actually built a monastery too. The Emperor, who Methodius had wanted to work for when he first set sail for Constantinople, did not believe that people should have statues and icons of Saints. Many people agreed with the Emperor; they believed that Christians who had these things were worshiping these statues and icons instead of worshipping God. Methodius tried to help the Pope teach the Emperor and his followers that Christians were not worshipping these statues or icons, but they were using them to be able to get closer to Jesus through prayer and reflection on these holy peoples’ lives. Methodius was thrown into prison for going against the Emperor. Seven years later the Emperor died and his wife, Empress Theodora, became the ruler of Constantinople. The Empress was a good Christian and found nothing wrong with having statues and icons and so she set Methodius and many other Christians free from prison. Methodius spent the rest of his life working to bring peace to the people of Constantinople. He also wrote about the lives of the Saints and wrote about the teachings of the faith, which helped many people get closer to God.
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