Theodore Stratelates
[7 February]
O ALMIGHTY God, whose servant General Theodore laid down his life for you, give us strength to stand firm in the faith after his example, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
T heodore of Heraclea was a general in command of an Army during the reign of Emperor Licinius and governor of Pontus. He was a Christian, and would not participate in the pagan sacrifices. He was tortured and then released from prison.Instead of quietly retiring, he infuriated his persecutors by setting fire to the temple of the goddess Cybele at Amasea in Pontus. He was arrested, imprisoned, tortured and martyred in a furnace in 319. His remains were buried at Euchaita.
He is highly revered in the Eastern Church as a Great-Martyr.
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