Demetrius of Thessaloniki
Theodor-Peter and Asen approached the Byzantine Emperor, Isaac II Angelos, in Thrace in 1185, demanding an estate in the Balkan Mountains. After the emperor refused and humiliated them, they decided to incite a rebellion, taking advantage of the discontent that a new tax had caused among the Bulgarians and Vlachs. To convince their compatriots to join them, they hired native prophets who declared that Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki supported them. Before the end of the year, Theodor-Peter was crowned and adopted insignia that was used only by the emperors.