ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN NOVEMBER
Saints celebrated on the 9th of November
SAINT THEODORUS TYRO, MARTYR
Saint Gregory of Nyssa begins the panegyric which he pronounced upon this martyr on his festival, at his tomb near Amasea, by gratefully ascribing to his intercession the preservation of that country from the inroads of the Scythians, who had laid waste all the neighbouring provinces.
"AS A SOLDIER DEFEND US..."
Imploring his patronage, he says: "As a soldier defend us; as a martyr speak for us - ask peace: if we want a stronger intercession, gather together your brother martyrs, and with them all pray for us. Stir up Peter, Paul, and John, that they be solicitous for the churches which they founded. May no heresies sprout up: may the Christian commonwealth become, by your and your companions’ prayers, a flourishing field."
THE PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS UNDER DIOCLETIAN
Theodorus was a native of Syria or Armenia, young, and newly enlisted in the Roman army, whence he was surnamed Tyro. With his legion he was sent into winter quarters in Pontus, and was at Amasea when fresh edicts were published by Maximian Galerius and Maximin, for continuing with the utmost rigour the persecution which had been raised by Diocletian.
THEODORUS WAS FAR FROM CONCEALING HIS FAITH
Our young soldier was so far from concealing his faith, that he seemed to carry it written on his forehead. Being seized and presented to the governor of the province, and the tribune of his legion, he was asked by them how he dared to profess a religion which the emperors punished with death: to whom he boldly made the following declaration: "Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, is my God. Beat, tear, or burn me; and if my words offend you, cut out my tongue: every part of my body is ready when God calls for it as a sacrifice."
"JESUS CHRIST, THE ONLY SON OF GOD, IS MY GOD"
His judges, with a pretended compassion for his youth, allowed him time to give the affair a second thought, and dismissed him for the present. Theodorus employed the interval in prayer for perseverance, and being resolved to convince his judges that his resolution was inflexible, by an extraordinary impulse he set fire to a temple of Cybele, which stood upon the banks of the river Iris, in the middle of the city; and the fabric was reduced to ashes.
THREATS OF TORMENTS
When he was carried a second time before the governor and his assistant, he was ready to prevent their questions by his confession. They endeavoured to terrify him with threats of torments, and allure him by promising to make him the priest of the goddess, if he would offer sacrifice. His answer was, that their priests were of all idolaters the most miserable, because the most criminal.
"I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES"
His body was unmercifully torn with whips; and afterwards hoisted on the rack. Under all manner of torments the saint maintained his former tranquillity and greatness of soul, and, seemingly insensible to the smart of his wounds, ceased not to repeat those words of the psalmist:
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall be always in my mouth.
When the governor’s cruelty was tired, the martyr was remanded to prison, where, in the night, he was wonderfully comforted by God and his holy angels.
HE WAS CONDEMNED TO BE BURNT IN A FURNACE
After a third examination, Theodorus was condemned to be burnt alive in a furnace; which sentence was executed in the year 306, probably on February 17, on which day the Greeks and Muscovites celebrate his festival, though the Latins keep it on November 9, with the Sacramentary of St Gregory the Great, Bede, etc.
From Fr Butler's Lives of the Saints
[The oldest certain depiction of Theodore killing a dragon is at Aghtamar, dated c. 920). Theodore is reported as having destroyed a dragon near Euchaita in a legend not younger than the late 9th century. The earliest image of St Theodore as a horseman (named in Latin) is from Vinica, North Macedonia. - Wikipedia]
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