Saint Theodor Stratilat

February 8th

      Theodor lived in the beginning of 4th century, during the reign of the emperors Constantine and Licinius. He was famous for his virtues, beauty and bravery. He was chosen to be a “stratilat” (meaning “leader”) in the town of Heraclia near the Black Sea. He was a wise man but Licinius, who persecuted Christians, wanted to destroy him. Theodor decided to accept his martyrdom with dignity and thus to help Christian belief establish itself.
       He was beaten, burnt and his wounds rubbed and then shut in a dungeon with no food or water. After 5 days of hard tortures, he was crucified, his eyes taken out and finally killed by a sword. He was declared a Holy Martyr and his brave endurance in the name of his faith helped many of his fellow citizens accept Christianity.

 

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