St Theodore
November 9
One of the most famous Roman soldier-martyrs, almost nothing is known of his life except his martyrdom in the 4th century.
Theodore was called a wonder worker. As a young recruit, while his legion was wintering at Amasea near Pontus, he was ordered to worship idols. He refused. When he was called before the governor he said: “Jesus Christ is my one God. There is no limb I would not sacrifice if God demanded it.”
Theodore was subjected to a fearsome series of tortures before being thrown into a furnace. His ashes were saved by a Christian woman called Eusebia.
A church in Rome is dedicated to him. His shrine was at Euchaita in Pontus. His relics are said to be in Venice and Chartres. His legend is told in mosaics at St Mark’s in Venice and in stained glass windows at Chartres.