Theophanes 12 was bishop of Sora in Paphlagonia; in 787 he attended the Second Council of Nikaia (the Seventh Ecumenical Council) and was probably present at all eight sessions, from 24 September to 23 November 787: Mansi XII 998-XIII 486. In the list of those present at the first session he is styled Θεοφάνους ἐπισκόπου Σόρων: Mansi XII 998. In the list of those present at the seventh session his name is preserved in the Greek text with the wrong see: Mansi XIII 369 (Θεοφάνους ἐπισκόπου Προυσιάδος). The copyist has omitted his see, the name and see of the succeeding bishop in the list, Ioannes 107 of Herakleia Ponti, and the name of the next bishop, Theophilos 11 of Prousias. The Latin version has the correct text at XIII 370: "Theophane episcopo Sorensium", and the correct entries for Ioannes 107 and Theophilos 11. Elsewhere he is styled Θεοφάνης ὁ ὁσιώτατος ἐπίσκοπος Σωρῶν or similar: Mansi XII 1099 (Σαρῶν, marg. Σορῶν), XIII 145 (Σόρων), XIII 392 (Σωρῶν). At the second session Theophanes 12 supported the traditional veneration of icons as described in statements from pope Hadrian I (Hadrianos 1) and condemned iconoclasts: Mansi XII 1099. At the fourth session he subscribed the statements read out from the Fathers in support of the veneration of icons: Mansi XIII 145. At the seventh session he subscribed the statement of the faith adopted by the Council: Mansi XIII 392.

He is probably identical with Theophanes, bishop of Sora, who owned a seal dateable to the late eighth century or the early ninth (it is iconic, and so can be dated in the interval between the two iconoclast persecutions): Zacos and Veglery 1348A. Obv.: Virgin Hodegetria, standing, holding Child; on left and right, cruciform monograms of Θεοτόκε and βοήθει. Rev.: + [Θ]εο - φανη ε - πισκ' Σω - ρων. The name and title read: Θεοφάνῃ ἐπισκόπῳ Σωρῶν.

(Publishable link for this person: )