Subj : February 7th - Saint Theodore Stratelates To : All From : rich Date : Tue Feb 06 2018 09:08:01 From: rich February 7th - Saint Theodore Stratelates (also known as Theodore the General) d. 319 Saint Theodore the General is sometimes confused with Saint Theodore the Recruit, whose feast we celebrated on November 9. Both great and holy soldiers share similar life stories of dedicated military service, and the courage to profess their faith in Jesus Christ--a courage that earned them the crown of martyrdom. Theodore was born in the city of Auchaita in Asia Minor. From birth he was a natural leader, possessing many talents, tall, strong, and handsome in appearance. His family--well acquainted with the emperor of the time--practiced the Christian faith, and Theodore grew in devotion to the Lord while serving in the Roman army. Recognized for his bravery, Theodore was appointed military commander (statelatos, from which his name originates). Stationed in the city of Heraclea, he dispatched his duties with great honor, while preaching the Gospel of Christ to the pagans of that city. His gift of persuasion, reinforced by his personal example of Christian life, led many to embrace Christianity, and soon nearly the entire city was practicing the faith. Things seemed to be going well for Theodore, but under Emperor Licinius (who ascended to the throne in 311), a new round of persecutions against Christians began. Licinius, for his part, felt threatened by the Christian faith, and viewed Christians as the enemies to the empire. He began his persecution with Saint Theodore, who refused to offer pagan sacrifices. Seeking to make an example of him, and knowing he dare not refuse an invitation from the emperor, Licinius invited Theodore to participate in a public sacrifice before all the people. Saint Theodore joined Licinius, but rather than offering sacrifice, smashed the gold and silver statues of the pagan gods into pieces, which he then distributed to the poor and needy. He was, of course, arrested and tortured mercilessly. First, he was dragged through the city behind horses, beaten with iron rods, pierced with sharp spikes, burned with fire, and his eyes plucked out. All during this, Theodore repeated: "Glory to Thee, my God, glory to Thee." Finally, he was publicly crucified. But the Lord was not done with Saint Theodore, and in the night, an angel visited the saint, removed him from the cross and healed his wounds. In the morning, the imperial soldiers who had so mercilessly tortured him found him alive and unharmed. Each accepted Christ on the spot, noting the mighty power of the Lord. Emperor Licinius was livid, blinded with rage against the Christians of the community. Saint Theodore, unwilling to escape martyrdom for Christ voluntarily surrendered himself to Licinius, and discouraged the Christians from rising up against the torturer, saying, "Beloved, halt! My Lord Jesus Christ, hanging upon the Cross, restrained the angels and did not permit them to take revenge on the race of man." On his way to his second execution, the holy martyr opened up the prison doors with just a word and freed the prisoners from their bonds. People who touched his robe were healed instantly from sicknesses, and freed from demonic possession. Saint Theodore was beheaded by the sword. His name was buried in Auchaita, the city of his birth. His relics were later taken to the Blachernae Church at Constantinople. His courage and fortitude in facing death inspire us today. Saint Quote: Remember that the Devil doesn't sleep, but seeks our ruin in a thousand way= s. --St. Angela Merici Bible Quote: 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of the temple; and he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, =E2=80=9CTake these things away; you shall not make my Father's house a house of trade.=E2=80=9D [John 2:15-16] RSVCE <><><><> EVENING PRAISE All praise to You, O God, this night For all the blessings of the light; Keep us, we pray, O King of kings, Beneath Your own almighty wings. Forgive us, Lord, through Christ your Son, Whatever wrong this day we've done; Your peace give to the world, O Lord, That we might live in one accord. Enlighten us, O blessed Light, and give us rest throughout this night. O strengthen us, that for Your sake, We all may serve You when we wake. (By Thomas Ken, 1673-1711.) --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .