Theodore Stratelates

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For Theodore Tyro, see Theodore of Amasea.
Theodore Stratelates
St. Theodore Stratelates
from the personal Gospel Book of St. Theodore the Black.
Great Martyr
Born  ?, Euchantum
Died 319, Heracleion
Venerated in Eastern Orthodox Church
Feast 8 February
Attributes Dressed as a warrior, with spear and shield
Saints Portal

Theodore Stratelates ("the General"), also known as Theodore of Euphraita or Theodore of Heraclea, is a martyr and warrior saint venerated with the title Great-martyr in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

According to tradition, he was born in the city of Euchantum. He was endowed with many talents and was handsome of appearance, and was known for his charity and bravery.

Fresco icon of St. Theodore Stratelates (Zemen monastery, Bulgaria).
Fresco icon of St. Theodore Stratelates (Zemen monastery, Bulgaria).

Theodore was appointed military-commander (stratelatos) in the city of Heracleion, during the time the emperor Licinius (307 - 324) began a fierce persecution of Christians. Theodore himself invited Licinius to Heracleium, having promised to offer a sacrifice to the pagan gods. He requested that all the gold and silver statues of the gods which they had in Heracleion be gathered up at his house. Theodore then smashed them into pieces which he then distributed to the poor.

Theodore was arrested and subjected to torture and crucified. The witness was his servant Varos (also venerated as a saint). In the morning the imperial soldiers found him alive and unharmed. Not wanting to flee a martyr's death, Theodore voluntarily gave himself over again into the hands of Licinius, and was beheaded by the sword. This occurred on 8 February 319, on a Saturday, at the third hour of the day.

His annual commemoration is kept on 8 February (21 February N.S.).

Ceramic icon of St. Theodore.
Ceramic icon of St. Theodore.

One of the few ceramic icons in existence, dated to ca. 900, shows St. Theodore. It was made by the Preslav Literary School and was found 1909 near Preslav, Bulgaria (now National Archaeological Museum, Sofia).