Holy Great-Martyr Theodore the General

Life

There is martyrdom more precious than precious. The preciousness of martyrdom depends on the magnitude of the treasure which a Christian abandons, and instead of that receives suffering; and it depends also on the magnitude of suffering, which he endures for Christ's sake. Saint Theodore, a Roman general, in the army of Emperor Licinius, and governor of the city of Heraclea, despised both his youth, and beauty, and the rank of general, and the emperor's favor, and instead of all this received upon himself terrible torments for Christ's sake. First Theodore was flogged, and received six hundred blows on his back and five hundred on his belly; then he was lifted up on a cross and riddled all over with arrows. Finally he was beheaded by the sword. Why all this? Because Saint Theodore loved Christ the Lord above all in the world; because he despised the foolish idolatrous superstition of Emperor Licinius, because he smashed the idols of silver and gold, and distributed their pieces to the poor; because he converted many to the Christian faith, and because he called even Emperor Licinius himself to renounce idols and believe in the one living God. Throughout all the time of torture Saint Theodore unceasingly said: "Glory to Thee my God, glory to Thee!" Saint Theodore suffered on February 8, 319 at three o'clock in the afternoon, and departed to the Kingdom of Christ. He is considered the protector of soldiers who call upon him for help. His wonder-working relics were transferred from Euchaita to Constantinople and buried in the church of Blachernae (see June 8).

From the Hymn of Praise

Predislav gazed intently,Young Predislav wept.The queen his mother asks him,Why does his gaze thus wander?