Holy Priest-Martyr Theodotus, Bishop of Cyrenia

Life

On account of his wisdom and virtue he was elected bishop and governed the Church of God with love and zeal. But when a persecution of Christians arose in the time of the wicked Emperor Licinius, this man of God was brought to trial and subjected to many torments. When the torturer Sabinus counseled him to renounce Christ and bow down to pagan idols, Theodotus replied: "If you knew the goodness of my God, in whom I hope that He will account me worthy of eternal life on account of these brief torments, you yourself would desire to suffer for Him as I do." They drove nails into his body, and he prayed to God with thanksgiving; and thinking his end was near, he counseled and instructed the Christians who were around him. But by God's Providence, at that time Emperor Constantine proclaimed freedom for Christians and commanded that all who were under judgment for Christ's sake be released. Then this saint also was freed, returned in that tormented state to his see in Cyrenia, and lived yet two more years. After that he reposed in the Lord, whom he had served faithfully and for whom he had suffered greatly. He completed his earthly life in the year 302 and departed to the courts of the Lord.

From the Hymn of Praise

### VENERABLE AGATHO