The Great Martyr Theodore Stratilates is one of the saints recognized by all Christian churches. It has long been revered in Russia, as evidenced by ancient temples, in the name of this saint. These include the church of Theodore Stratilates on a stream. It is considered one of the most beautiful examples of medieval Novgorod architecture and served as a source of inspiration for many Russian architects for almost 7 centuries.
So who was Theodore Stratilat? Learn the details of his life will help this article.
The situation of Christians in the Roman Empire at the end of the 3rd century n e.
According to the tradition of the Orthodox Church, Theodore Stratilat was born in Asia Minor in the city of Euchit. He was a brave, handsome young man who professed Christianity. At a fairly young age, he joined the Roman army. During the reign of Emperor Licinius, severe persecution of Christians began. However, the Romans saw that those who believed in the Savior joyfully accept martyrdom for faith. Then the pagans began to persecute Christians who hold public office and are respected by the people. To this end, Forty Sebastian Martyrs and several other important dignitaries from the vicinity of Licinius were killed.
Life
Theodore Stratilat became revered among his fellow citizens after he killed a snake, who lived north of his hometown of Euchit. According to legend, this bloodthirsty monster was hiding in a failure on an un sown field. Once a day, it got to the surface, attacked cattle and people, and when saturated, it returned to its lair.
Theodore decided to save the inhabitants of Euchit from this scourge. On the way to the shelter of the beast, he lay down to rest. Soon he was awakened by an elderly Christian Eusebius, in whose hut the relics of Theodore Tiron were located, and gave advice on how to defeat the monster. The future great martyr prayed and asked his horse to help him in the name of Christ. He mounted his horse and, having galloped to the field, called the snake to battle. After the monster crawled out of its lair, Theodore's horse jumped onto his back and the rider with God's help was able to hit the beast with a spear.
When the inhabitants of Euchitus saw the body of the defeated serpent, they connected this feat of Theodore with his faith in Jesus Christ and many decided to reject the pagan gods.
Preaching
After the rescue of Euchit from the monster, Theodore was appointed a stratilate (commander) in the city of Heracles. There he began to openly preach Christianity and excelled in this matter. Soon emperor Licinius was informed that most of the inhabitants of Heraclea and its environs were converted to a new faith. He sent dignitaries to the stratilate, who were to bring Theodore to Rome. However, the future great martyr himself invited the emperor to Heracles. He promised him to arrange a revealing sacrifice to the pagan gods in order to prove his allegiance to Rome and the emperor, as well as serve as an example for the people.
After the letter was sent, Fedor began to pray day and night, until one day he was lit by an unearthly light and heard a voice from heaven, which said: “Go for it! I am with you! ”
Death
Soon the emperor and 8000 Roman legionaries arrived in Hercules, who brought with them several dozen golden and silver statues of pagan gods. Theodore Stratilat (photo of the Greek icon with his image see below) asked Licinius for permission to place idols in his house, allegedly so that he would be able to give them praise all night. When the emperor agreed, the stratilate broke the statues and distributed fragments of gold and silver statues to the poor.
In the morning, the centurion Maxentius noticed the poor man. He carried in his hands the head of the golden statue of Venus. Then Maxentius ordered him to be seized and learned from a beggar that Theodore Stratilates gave him his head. Maxentius immediately reported to the emperor about this unprecedented sacrilege from the point of view of the Romans. The great martyr, summoned for interrogation, confessed his faith in Christ and began to prove to Licinius that he was mistaken in worshiping idols. In particular, he asked the emperor why the powerful gods of Rome did not incinerate him with their heavenly fire when he abused their images. Licinius was indignant, and since he could not object to the arguments of his stratilate, he ordered Fedor to be tortured. He was carved, burned with fire, imprisoned, starved for several days, blinded and crucified.
Having decided that Fedor had died, Licinius ordered that he be left on the cross, but at night the angel of the Lord delivered him and healed his wounds. Seeing this miracle, the inhabitants of Heraclea believed in Christ and decided to show disobedience, demanding to stop the persecution of their stratilate.
The great martyr did not allow them to shed blood. He released prisoners from prisons, whom he commanded to live according to the covenants of the Lord, and healed the sick who came to him. Then, giving the last orders, he himself went on a voluntary execution. On February 8, 319, on the orders of Licinius, his head was truncated, and his body was delivered and buried in the hometown of Fyodor - Euchaite, in the estate of the parents of the great martyr.
Wonders
After death and burial, the saint began to help Christians and punish their enemies in different corners of the earth.
Thus, according to the patriarch of Antioch and John of Damascus, who lived in the 7-8 centuries, during the capture of Syria by the Saracens, the temple of Theodore, located near Damascus, was desecrated. He was ruined and began to be used as a dwelling. Once one of the Saracens shot from a bow in the image of Stratilates. The arrow emitted by him fell into the shoulder of the saint and blood flowed down the wall. The Saracens and their families who lived in the building still did not leave the temple. However, after some time, they all died. The causes of the disease that struck the infidels remained unclear, while everyone who lived in the neighborhood passed the disease.
Another miracle happened during the last battle of the war of 970-971 between the Russians and the Byzantines. According to The Tale of Bygone Years, St. Theodore Stratilat helped the Greeks restrain the army of Svyatoslav Igorevich with a significant numerical superiority of the Russians.
Memory
The day of Fedor Stratilat is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on the Julian calendar on February 8 and June 8, and the Catholic - on February 7. Since 2010, with the blessing of Patriarch Kirill, the great martyr has been the heavenly patron of the Federal Service of Bailiffs of the Russian Federation.
Theodore Tyrone
There are many icons that depict two warriors in armor. This is Fedor Stratilat and his namesake nicknamed Tyrone. According to legend, both warriors were born in the same Roman province. Theodore Tyrone was a warrior of the Marmarite regiment, who lodged in the city of Amasia. He refused to submit to his centurion Vrink and did not take part in public worship of idols. For this he was brutally tortured, and then burned at the stake. However, the remains of the great martyr were not damaged by fire, and they were buried in their home by the Christian Eusebius.
The lives of both saints are closely intertwined with each other, and they are often portrayed together. This is due to the fact that during the existence of the Byzantine Empire, these great martyrs personified the Christian principle in the military power of the state. Both Theodors were also associated with George the Victorious, probably from a similar story with the victory over the serpent.
Temple of Theodore Stratilates on the Creek
In honor of this saint, churches were consecrated in different parts of the world. Among them, a special place is occupied by the temple on the Stream, which is located in Veliky Novgorod. It was laid in 1360 on the donation of the Novgorod posadnik Semyon Andreevich and his mother Natalia.
The Church of St. Theodore Stratilates is a classic monument of medieval Novgorod architecture. Its building is a four-pillar single-headed building in the form of a cube, in which the facade, especially the apses and drums are decorated with various decorative elements. On the west side of the temple adjoins the bell tower and annex, erected in the 17th century. Building address: st. Fedorovsky stream, d.19-a.
The temple is also interesting because on its walls you can read medieval "graffiti" including comic content, left by the Novgorodians about 700 years ago. Today the church functions as a museum and its visit is included in many excursion programs.
Theodore Stratilates Church is also in the capital. The temple dedicated to this saint is located near Chistye Prudy, in Arkhangelsk Lane, and it was built in 1806.
