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Unable to punish the writer openly, [[Leo the Isaurian]] managed to get possession of a manuscript written and signed by ''John de Damascene'', which he used to forge a letter from John to the Isaurian monarch offering to betray into his hands the city of Damascus. Despite John's earnest advocation to his innocence, the caliph dismissed his plea and discharged him from his post, ordering his right hand, which he used for writing, to be severed at the wrist.
According to the 10th-century biography, his hand was miraculously restored after fervent prayer before an icon of the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]]. At this point the caliph is said to have been convinced of his innocence and inclined to reinstate him to his former office. However, John then retired to the Monastery of [[Sabbas the Sanctified|Saint Sabbas ]] near Jerusalem, where he continued to produce a stream of commentaries, hymns and apologetic writings, including the ''[[Oktoechos]]'' (the Church's service book of eight tones) and ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'', a summary of the dogmatic writings of the Early [[Church Fathers]].
=== Last Days ===