Holy Martyrs Theodotus and Seven Virgin Martyrs: Thecusa, Alexandra, Claudia, Phaïna, Euphrasia, Matrona, and Julia

Life

Theodotus was married and was a tavern-keeper in Ancyra in the time of Emperor Diocletian. Although married, he lived according to the word of the Apostle: "From now on let those who have wives live as though they had none" (I Cor. 7:29). And he kept a tavern so that he might unsuspectedly better help Christians. His tavern was a shelter for persecuted believers. Theodotus secretly sent help to Christians who had fled into the mountains, and secretly gathered the bodies of those who had been slain and buried them. At that time seven maidens were brought to trial and tortured for Christ; they were tortured, dishonored, and finally drowned in a lake. One of them, Saint Thecusa, appeared to Theodotus in a dream and told him to retrieve their bodies from the lake and bury them. In the dark of night Theodotus set out with a companion to fulfill the will of the martyr, and, led by the angels of God, he succeeded in finding all seven bodies and burying them. But that companion betrayed him to the judge, and the judge subjected him to grievous tortures. But Theodotus endured all the tortures as though he were in another's body, having his whole mind immersed in the Lord. When the torturer had turned his whole body into wounds and had shattered his teeth with stones, he ordered him beheaded with a sword. When he was led out to the place of execution, many Christians wept for him, but Saint Theodotus said to them: "Do not weep for me, brethren, but glorify our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has helped me to complete my struggle and to vanquish the enemy." — Having said this, he laid his head on the block beneath the sword and was beheaded in the year 303. A certain priest honorably buried the body of the martyr on a knoll outside the city. On that site a church was later built in the name of Saint Theodotus. (See June 7.)

From the Hymn of Praise

At Ancyra on the green hill,There a company of persecuted ChristiansDined together with a blessing.What the sun is among the shining stars,