Theodore soon drew attention to himself for his opposition to the adulterous marriage of Emperor Constantine VI (r. 780-797) and was banished until 797 when the emperor was deposed by his mother, Irene. Two years later Theodore moved the community from Saccudium to the Studion, (an estate in a suburb of Constantinople) in order to escape the growing dangers of the Arab invasions. The monastery subsequently became one of the most prominent in the whole of the Eastern Church. In 809, Theodore was exiled once more, this time by by opposing Emperor Nicephorus I's (r. 802-811) promotion of the iconoclast heresy. This marked the start of suffering and persecution which continued virtually until his death. Recalled in 811, he was forced soon after to speak out against the iconoclastic policies of Emperor Leo V (r. 813-820). In revenge, Leo had Theodore seized, cruelly abused, and exiled. The Studion was populated by Iconoclast monks, and Theodore lived in banishment until 820 when Emperor Michael II (r. 820-829) brought him back to Constantinople. Theodore remained unbending and died without ever returning to the Studion. He died just outside of Constantinople.