Saint of the Day – 2 November – Saint Theodotus (c260–c335) Bishop of Laodicea (in modern Turkey), Philosopher, possibly a Physician, Theologian. He initially defended the Arians but after being provisionally excommunicated, he repented his stance and became a defender of orthodoxy.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Laodicea in Syria, St Theodotus, a Bishop, powerful in words and adorned with good works and virtues.”
According to St Eusebius of Caesarea’s Historia Ecclesiastica, Theodotus “proved his personal name … true” and was a gift from God to the Diocese of Laodicea. St Eusebius also praises him for his knowledge of “the science of bodily healing” and for being a “dedicated student of divine teachings”, implying that he was trained in both medicine and theology, prior to becoming bishop. He used his medical training to treat the faithful during the Great Persecution. Eusebius and Theodotus were probably born around the same time. They were close friends and Ecclesiastical allies throughout their Episcopal careers. Eusebius dedicated two Apologetic works, Praeparatio evangelica and Demonstratio evangelica, written between about 312 and 318, to Theodotus.
Theodotus attended the Provincial Council of Antioch held in late 324 or early 325. He was one of only three Bishopswho refused to subscribe to the Council’s statement of faith which was based on the theology of the Bishop of Alexandria, Alexander I, an Arian. They were excommunicated pending their recantation at the “great and holy Synod” scheduled for June 325. Theodotus attended the Synod, which took place in Nicaea and subscribed to the Nicene Creed and Decrees, thus redeeming himself. He attended at least 2 further Councils and supported orthodoxy.
Because none of Theodotus’ writing survives, it is impossible to know Theodotus’ exact interpretation and theology with any exactitude. He may have defended Arius more out of loyalty to the Alexandrian Church, with which Laodicea had strong connections, than out of strong theological agreement.
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