Feast Day: August 2nd
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Prayers
Megalynarion: Rejoice, Divine offspring of Ophrynion, and Sacred ornament of the Dardanelles, who rejoice, Theodore, that by your contests, you have received a wealth of gifts from God.
Megalynarion: Rejoice, Neomartyr of Jesus, Blessed Theodore, who contested with a firm mind, and as a sacrifice you were offered to the Lord, worthily were you glorified, with mighty glory.
Megalynarion: You have boldness before Christ, O Theodore Martyr, entreat earnestly, on behalf of those who honor, your all-revered Memory, and Venerate with Faith, your Divine skull.
At a young age he went to nearby Tsanak Kale, where he apprenticed in the trade of being a sesame merchant. Later he left the merchant and opened his own sesame business.
Although the wealthy Turkish man persisted, Theodore responded by saying: “Please leave me alone, for I was born a Christian as were my parents, and all my relatives. I will not become a Muslim and I don’t need your riches, your marriage or your cure, because Christ whom we Christians worship is omnipotent and can cure me, as can the Panagia, His whom we Christians worship is omnipotent and can cure me, as can the Panagia, His mother, who grant me my health when they consider it beneficial to my Soul.”
“I was born a Christian and a Christian I will die. I will not become a Muslim and I want neither riches nor a wife. I say again, I was and am a Christian, and I will not accept your filthy religion. Do to me what you will.”
When the priest asked if he had been fed, Theodore said: “No Father, no one has given me bread, or water, or light, but each day a light enters my cell and illuminates it, and it also nourishes me. Therefore I don’t need any bread or water. Only those Christ-haters come often and annoy me with their offers, and threats, urging me to become a Muslim, and because I will not fulfill their wish, they torture me.”
Theodore said to the executioner: “Don’t bind me. I surrender myself to death voluntarily for my Christ. Why tie me? Only please allow me a little time to Pray to my God.”
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