St Theodore Stratelates, also known as Theodore the General, Theodore Tyro, Theodore the Recruit, Theodorus of Heraclea, was a martyr, Roman general (stratelates) of Greek extraction, and covert Christian during a time of persecution.
Theodore was born in 281 in the city of Euchaita in Asia Minor. Whilst there he killed a giant serpent living on a precipice in the outskirts of Euchaita. The serpent had been terrorising the countryside so Theodore armed himself with a sword and vanquished it. Because of his bravery, Theodore was appointed military-commander in the city of Heraclea Pontica, during the time the Emperor Licinius (307–324) began a fierce persecution of Christians.
He requested that all the gold and silver statues of the gods which they had in Heraclea be gathered up at his house. Theodore then smashed them into pieces which he then distributed to the poor. Exposed as a Christian, a military tribunal decided he was a good soldier who had made a mistake, told him to reconsider, and set him free.
He promptly burned down a pagan temple.
Arrested again, he was ordered to apostatize, then tortured by having his flesh torn off.
He responded by reciting the Psalms.
Theodore was then crucified. His servant Varos (also venerated as a saint), witnessed this and recorded it.
In the morning the imperial soldiers found him alive and unharmed.
Instead of fleeing, Theodore voluntarily surrendered to Licinius, and was beheaded by the sword. This occurred on 8 February 319, on a Saturday, at the third hour of the day.
Patronage: Brindisi, Italy. Recovery of lost articles, soldiers
Henceforth who is sufficient to relate the manner in which he bore himself?— what pity was his? What vigour? How great his mercy? How great his strictness? So much sanctity and grace beamed from his face that it confounded the minds of the beholders. His countenance was grave and joyous. Neither was his severity gloomy, nor his affability excessive, but a mingled tempering of both; so that it might be doubted whether he most deserved to be revered or to be loved, except that he deserved both to be revered and to be loved.
Life and Passion of St Cyprian
