Saint Maximus the Confessor

St. Maximus the Confessor (c. 580-662 AD) was a prominent Byzantine theologian and philosopher. Born in Constantinople, he served as a secretary to the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius before becoming a monk. Maximus was a staunch defender of Orthodox Christianity and opposed the Monothelite heresy, for which he was exiled and had his tongue and right hand cut off. Despite these hardships, he continued to preach the true faith until his death.