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| Saint Peter the Pious of Vatheos Ryakos (Feast Day - September 7); Pictured are ruins of Vatheos Ryakos Monastery |
Our Venerable Father Peter the Pious was from Cappadocia and lived in the tenth century. He was the second abbot of the Monastery of Vatheos Ryakos (Deep Stream) in Trigleia of Bithynia, succeeding Basil (July 1) the founder of the monastery. He is not only known for his piety but also for his love for God and strict asceticism. He reposed in peace.
Vatheos Ryakos Monastery
The Monastery of Vatheos Ryakos (otherwise spelled as Batheos Rhyakos and translated as Monastery of the Deep Stream) is also known as the Monastery of the Transfiguration of Christ the Savior, though commonly known as Soteros or Savior Monastery (Turkish: Aya Sotiri Manastırı). It is near modern Tirilye in Turkey (medieval Trigleia in Bithynia). The complex now lies ruined, although some buildings are used by locals as animal shelters. It should be noted that modern research has suggested that this monastery was actually in Thrace, or perhaps Sebaste.
The commemoration of three abbots of this monastery (Basil - July 1, Luke - September 7, Ignatios - September 27) has led some historians to suggest the Synaxarion of Constantinople we have in manuscripts today was the local version used by this monastery. Though we should note that Saint Peter, who we commemorate today, is not in the Synaxarion of Constantinople, but is mentioned in other sources.