Theodore of Amasea

Saint Theodore of Amasea was born in Amasea in Pontus, in what is now Amasya, Turkey. A Greek by origin, he served as a soldier in the Roman army, remembered especially as “Theodore the Recruit.” During the Great Persecution under Emperor Diocletian in the early fourth century, Theodore’s cohort was ordered to offer pagan sacrifice. He refused, openly confessing faith in Jesus Christ. Given time to reconsider because of his youth, he instead set his heart more firmly on the Lord, and—according to ancient tradition—burned a temple dedicated to the goddess Cybele. Arrested again, he endured torture and was finally condemned to death by fire, offering his life as a witness to Christ. By the late fourth century he was already widely venerated, and his cult spread rapidly through East and West. Honored as a great martyr and warrior saint, later devotion also portrayed him as a defender against evil. He is patron of Acerenthia, Bagaladi, Cerenzia, Frontone, Gallodoro, Laino Castello, Monteleone d’Orvieto, Orestiada, Rizziconi, and San Teodoro. His feast day is November 9.