Theodore Stratelates

Theodore Stratelates

Infobox Saint
name=Theodore Stratelates
birth_date=?
death_date=319
feast_day=8 February
venerated_in=all Christianity


imagesize=200px
caption=St. Theodore Stratelates
from the personal Gospel Book of St. Theodore the Black.
birth_place=Euchaita
death_place=Heracleion
titles=Great Martyr
canonized_date=
canonized_place=
canonized_by=
attributes=Dressed as a warrior, with spear and shield
patronage=soldiers
major_shrine=
suppressed_date=
issues=

Theodore Stratelates ("the General"), also known as Theodore of Euphraita or Theodore of Heraclea, is a martyr and warrior saint venerated with the title Great-martyr in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

According to tradition, he was born in the city of Euchaita. He was endowed with many talents and was handsome of appearance, and was known for his charity and bravery.

Theodore was appointed military-commander ("stratelatos") in the city of Heracleion, during the time the emperor Licinius (307–324) began a fierce persecution of Christians. Theodore himself invited Licinius to Heracleium, having promised to offer a sacrifice to the pagan gods. He requested that all the gold and silver statues of the gods which they had in Heracleion be gathered up at his house. Theodore then smashed them into pieces which he then distributed to the poor.

Theodore was arrested and subjected to torture and crucified. The witness was his servant Varos (also venerated as a saint). In the morning the imperial soldiers found him alive and unharmed. Not wanting to flee a martyr's death, Theodore voluntarily gave himself over again into the hands of Licinius, and was beheaded by the sword. This occurred on 8 February 319, on a Saturday, at the third hour of the day.

His annual commemoration is kept on 8 February (21 February N.S.).

One of the few ceramic icons in existence, dated to ca. 900, shows St. Theodore. It was made by the Preslav Literary School and was found 1909 near Preslav, Bulgaria (now National Archaeological Museum, Sofia).

References

* [http://www.oca.org/FSLivesAllSaintsPrint.asp?M=2&D=8 Lives of all saints commemorated on February 8] at Orthodox Church in America


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