Great Martyr St. Theodore Stratelates

Great Martyr St. Theodore Stratelates
(Commemorated February 8)
The Great Martyr St. Theodore Stratelates came from the city of Euchaita in Asia Minor. He was endowed with many talents, and was handsome in appearance. For his charity God enlightened him with the knowledge of Christian truth.
The bravery of this saintly soldier was revealed after he, with the help of God, killed a giant serpent living on a precipice in the outskirts of Euchaita. The serpent had devoured many people and animals, terrorizing the countryside. Theodore armed himself with a sword and vanquished it, glorifying the name of Christ among the people.
For his bravery Theodore was appointed military commander (Stratelatos) in the city of Heraclea, where he combined his military service with preaching the Gospel among the pagans subject to him. His gift of persuasion, reinforced by his personal example of Christian life, turned many from their false gods. Soon, nearly all of Heraclea had accepted Christianity.
During this time Emperor Licinius (311-324 A.D.) began a fierce persecution against Christians. In an effort to stamp out the new faith, he persecuted the enlightened adherents of Christianity, who were perceived as a threat to paganism.
Among these was Theodore. Licinius tried to force Theodore to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. The Saint invited Licinius to come to him with his idols so both of them could offer sacrifice before the people.
Blinded by his hatred for Christianity, Licinius trusted the words of the Saint, but he was soon disappointed. Theodore smashed the gold and silver statues into pieces, which he then distributed to the poor. Thus he demonstrated the vain faith in soulless idols, and also displayed Christian charity.
Theodore was arrested and subjected to fierce and refined torture. He was dragged on the ground, beaten with iron rods, had his body pierced with sharp spikes, was burned with fire, and his eyes were plucked out. Finally, he was crucified. Varus, the servant of Theodore, barely had the strength to write down the incredible torments of his master.
God, however, in His great mercy, willed that the death of Theodore should be as fruitful for those near him as his life was. An angel healed the Saint's wounded body and took him down from the cross. In the morning, the imperial soldiers found him alive and unharmed. Seeing with their own eyes the infinite might of the Christian God, they were baptized not far from the place of the unsuccessful execution.
Thus Theodore became "like a day of splendour" for those pagans dwelling in the darkness of idolatry, and he enlightened their souls "with the bright rays of his suffering." Unwilling to escape martyrdom for Christ, Theodore voluntarily surrendered himself to Licinius, and discouraged the Christians from rising up against the torturer, saying, "Beloved, halt! My Lord Jesus Christ, hanging upon the Cross, restrained the angels and did not permit them to take revenge on the race of man."
Going to execution, the holy martyr opened up the prison doors with just a word and freed the prisoners from their bonds. People who touched his robe were healed instantly from sicknesses, and freed from demonic possession. By order of the emperor, Theodore was beheaded by the sword. Before his death he told Varus, "Do not fail to record the day of my death, and bury my body in Euchaita." He also asked to be remembered each year on this date. Then he bent his neck beneath the sword, and received the crown of martyrdom which he had sought. This occurred on February 8, 319, on a Saturday, at the ninth hour (3pm) of the day.
On this day we also recall a miracle of the icon of the Great Martyr St. Theodore in a church dedicated to him at a place called Karsat, near Damascus. A group of Saracens had turned this church into their residence. There was a fresco on the wall depicting St. Theodore. One of the Saracens shot an arrow into the icon of the Great Martyr. From the Saint’s face, where the arrow had stuck into the wall, blood flowed before the eyes of everyone. A short while later, the Saracens who had settled in the church killed each other. Accounts of this miracle are given by Saints Anastasius of Mt. Sinai (April 20) & John of Damascus (December 4).
The Saint's holy relics were returned to his ancestral home on June 8, which is also a feast of the Great Martyr St. Theodore.
St. Theodore is considered the Protector of Soldiers who call upon him for assistance.
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[@joepavone3586]

Inspiring story of a great Saint-thank you for your ministry !

[@user-wc5pl2wf4t]

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[@vladimirgostevskyh6294]

There are so many miracle historic stories of Orthodox Saints that show all of humanity that the Christian Holy Trinity is the true God. Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Yet, there are many that do not believe. Hard to understand humans.

[@user-wc5pl2wf4t]

Святый угодниче БОЖИЙ Макарие 🙏🏻моли ХРИСТА БОГА нашего помочь России выстоять и победить, очистить от сатанистов богоборников и глумителей Святую Киевскую Лавру и всю землю Русскую во ИМЯ ТВОЕ СВЯТОЕ🙏🙏🙏