St. Theodore Tyro

St. Theodore was a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity. Exposed as a Christian, the military tribunal decided he was a good soldier who had made a mistake, asked him to reconsider, and then set him free.

Theodore then promptly set fire to the pagan temple of the mother-goddess Cybele at Amasea (303 A.D.). When arrested again, he was ordered to renounce his Christian faith, but refused and persevered bravely; accordingly he was cast into a dungeon and his flesh ripped by iron hooks so that his ribs were exposed.

Here, during prayer one night, he was consoled by a miraculous appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus reassured Him, "Take courage, my servant Theodore, because I am with you." Our Lord also told Theodore that He Himself would nourish him invisibly. This visit filled him with such joy that he began to sing; and at the same moment, Angels in white robes appeared in his prison, to sing hymns of joy with him. The jailers and guardians all witnessed this miracle, as did also the judge who had condemned him, but none of them were touched by it. They gave him an ounce of bread and a flask of water every day, only to prolong his martyrdom. The Saint refused these offerings. In the midst of the terrible torture, Theodore sang joyfully, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will ever be in my mouth" (Psalm 33).

Praying and singing the glories of the Lord through the Psalms, he was burned alive on November 9, 319 at Heraclea, Thrace. Theodore's head has been venerated at Cajeta since the Middle Ages. In ancient times, particularly among the Greeks, this soldier-martyr was honored as patron of armies. During the seventh century a church was dedicated to him in Rome, and his picture appears upon the apse mosaic in the church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian.

Symbols: Post and iron hooks; white horse; temple of Cybele in flames; crown of thorns; cross; Roman armor; sword.

Meaning of His Name: God's gift

St. Theodore demonstrated great courage in the midst of pain. In the midst of horrific pain, he sang songs of praise to the Lord! Many of us endure pain and heartaches in the trials of our daily life and it is difficult to keep our minds off the suffering, especially when we endure chronic pain that seems unending. Let us offer up our pain and our trials today for a good cause -- an end to abortion, world peace, or the conversion of sinners. Although we may not feel like singing God's praises, let us focus on His goodness by reading the Psalms or meditating on His Holy Face, His Sacred Heart, Christ dying on the cross, and other holy images that show us His love and help us to remember that He is with us. He is with us and nourishes us with His own strength through the Holy Eucharist and through His sacraments. We experience His presence through His Word and through prayer. Let us thank the Lord for the many blessings and gifts He has given us. If we only knew what a blessing our sufferings are, we would be thanking and praising God for them night and day.

Today, let us intercede for our soldiers, who are enduring many hardships so that we may enjoy our many freedoms.

~ Copyright 2004 Jean M. Heimann, Adapted from "Gold in the Furnace".

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