Saints Theodore the Recrut and Theodore the Commander
5 Sts. Theodore the Recruit and Theodore the Commander
February 8 - The Commander, Ferbuary 17 - the Recruit
The Saints Theodore, the Commander and Theodore th
Recruit, lived at different times and at different cities, but
they have some basic similarities.
Besides having the same name, they were both officers in
the Roman army, and both emerged as great martyrs.
Theodore the Recruit came originally for Amasia. He
was called into the Roman army, where he was named Ty -
ron, "Recruit." He was noted for his appearance, bravery,
and heroism. When the persecution of Diocletian was de -
clared against the Christians, he tried in many ways to give
the Christians courage. He was captured through and sub -
jected to horrible tortures. Finally he was thrown into a
fiery furnace and was burned.
Theodore the Cammander came originally from Heracleia
of Pontus. He had distinguished himself as an officer in the
Roman Army and was promoted to the rank of general com -
mander. He had an athietic appearance and was very brave
and modest.
Licinius ruled in the East and although the Edict of Ml -
lan had been issued (313), he declared a persecution
against the Christians. Then at the personal order of
Licinius, Theodore the Commander was captured, and re -
fusing to offer a sacrifice before the idols, he sub -
jected to horrible tortures, and was finally crucified. Be -
cause, however, even from the cross he attracted ad -
mirers, an executioner he headed the crucified martyr.
Although the memory of each of the two great martyrs is
honored separately, our Church has ordered that the two be
honored together the Saturday of the first week of the great
Lent. And this is so because of the following tradition: The
heathen governor of a certain territory knowing that the
Christians were fasting during the Great Lent, commanded
that the food supplies in the market be sprayed with blood
of animals sacrificed to idols with the intention of prevent -
ing the Christians from fasting. At that time, the bishop of
the territory had a vision of Sts. Theodorol disclosing the
governor's intentions and advising the Christians to abstain
from purchasing food at the market, using instead boiled
wheat which was called "collyva" in that area. This is how
"collyva" were introduced in our Church in commemoration
of the dead.
**Are You Afraid Of My Love?**
…Do not be frightened.
My love will not bind you
It will bring warmth
When you are cold
And companionship when you are lonely
My love will bring smiles
To brighten all you days
And understanding when you are sad
It will not obligate you…
For my love will trust you always
My love will give you all these things
Asking only that
Wherever you go
And whatever you do
You will hold me in your heart
Knowing that when you return
I will be here…
To make you happy
