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Greatmartyr Theodore Stratelates "the General"

Commemorated on February 8

Troparion & Kontakion

The Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates came from the city of Euchaita in Asia Small-scale. 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 the saintly soldier was revealed later he, with the assist 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. Saint Theodore armed himself with a sword and vanquished it, glorifying the proper noun of Christ amidst the people.

For his bravery Saint Theodore was appointed military commander [stratelatos] in the city of Heraclea, where he combined his armed forces 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 fake gods. Presently, nearly all of Heraclea had accustomed Christianity.

During this time the emperor Licinius (311-324) began a fierce persecution against Christians. In an try to postage out the new faith, he persecuted the aware adherents of Christianity, who were perceived as a threat to paganism. Amongst these was Saint Theodore. Licinius tried to forcefulness Saint Theodore to offer cede to the pagan gods. The saint invited Licinius to come to him with his idols so both of them could offer sacrifice earlier the people.

Blinded past his hatred for Christianity, Licinius trusted the words of the saint, just he was disappointed. Saint Theodore smashed the gilt and silver statues into pieces, which he so distributed to the poor. Thus he demonstrated the vain faith in soulless idols, and as well displayed Christian charity.

Saint Theodore was arrested and subjected to tearing and refined torture. He was dragged on the ground, beaten with fe rods, had his body pierced with abrupt spikes, was burned with fire, and his eyes were plucked out. Finally, he was crucified. Varus, the servant of Saint Theodore, barely had the forcefulness to write down the incredible torments of his principal.

God, even so, in His nifty mercy, willed that the death of Saint Theodore should be as fruitful for those near him equally his life was. An angel healed the saint's wounded trunk 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 Saint Theodore became "like a day of splendor" for those pagans dwelling in the darkness of idolatary, and he aware their souls "with the bright rays of his suffering." Unwilling to escape martyrdom for Christ, Saint Theodore voluntarily surrendered himself to Licinius, and discouraged the Christians from ascension upwards against the torturer, saying, "Beloved, halt! My Lord Jesus Christ, hanging upon the Cantankerous, restrained the angels and did not permit them to take revenge on the race of homo."

Going to execution, the holy martyr opened upward the prison doors with just a give-and-take 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, Saint Theodore was beheaded by the sword. Earlier 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 twelvemonth on this date. And then he aptitude his cervix below the sword, and received the crown of martyrdom which he had sought. This occurred on Feb 8, 319, on a Sat, at the 3rd 60 minutes of the solar day.

Saint Theodore is regarded as the patron saint of soldiers. He is also commemorated on June 8.

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Source: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2016/02/08/100462-greatmartyr-theodore-stratelates-the-general

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