Saint Theophilus the Penitent, or Theophilus of
Adana (died ca. 538), was a cleric in the sixth
century Church who is said to have made a deal
with the devil to gain an ecclesiastical position.
His story is significant as it is the oldest story of
a pact with the Devil. Theophilus was the
archdeacon of Adana, Cilicia, which is part of
modern Turkey. He was unanimously elected to
be a bishop, but turned the position down out of
humility. Another man was elected in his stead.
When the new bishop unjustly deprived Theophilus
of his position as archdeacon, Theophilus
regretted his humility and sought out a wizard to
help him contact Satan. In exchange for his aid,
Satan demanded that Theophilus renounce Christ
and the Virgin Mary in a contract signed with his
own blood. Theophilus complied, and the devil
gave him the position as bishop.
Years later, fearful for his soul, Theophilus
repented and prayed to the Virgin for forgiveness.
After forty days of fasting, the Virgin appeared to
him and verbally chastised him. Theophilus
begged forgiveness and Mary promised to
intercede with God. He then fasted a further thirty
days, at which time Mary appeared to him again,
and granted him Absolution. However, Satan was
unwilling to relinquish his hold over Theophilus,
and it was a further three days before Theophilus
awoke to find the damning contract on his chest.
He then took the contract to the legitimate bishop
and confessed all that he had done. The bishop
burned the document, and Theophilus expired, out
of sheer joy to be free from the burden of his
contract.

Story For The Gods