St. Theodorus Tyro (St. Theodore the Recruit) A.D. 306
by VP
Posted on Sunday November 09, 2025 at 03:00AM in Saints
RESOLUTION AND STEADFASTNESS. Theodorus, who had been recently enrolled in the army, was stationed with his legion at Amasius, when the edicts of persecution were published by Galerian and Maximian. "As for me, I am a Christian!" exclaimed the youthful warrior, " and will not sacrifice to the gods." Although not bruiting abroad his faith ostentatiously, he did not shrink from avowing it. "I know nothing of your gods," he said to the magistrates; "I am a Christian; do with me what you like!" They released him, that he might have time for reflection; but, as soon as he was at liberty, he snatched up a torch and proceeded to set the temple of Cybele on fire. "The temple was of wood," he exclaimed, with a smile, "and the deity was of stone; the one is reduced to ashes and the other to lime. Is the misfortune, then, very great?" In the midst of the most horrible tortures, Theodorus displayed the most inflexible courage; while the iron was rending his flesh, he calmly chanted some verses of the Psalms. At last the judge, utterly subdued and at a loss for further expedients of cruelty, sentenced him to the stake, on the 17th of February, in the year 306.
MORAL REFLECTION.-"Let him that asketh in faith waver not, for let not that man think he shall receive anything of the Lord." (Jas. i. 6.)
Source: Pictorial Half hour with the saints by Abbe Lecanu
