Theodore of Amorium

Holy Martyr Theodore of Amorium (Phrygia) is one of the forty-⁠two martyrs of Amorium, defenders of the city. In the war between the Greek emperor Theophilus (829 to 842) and the Saracens, the latter managed to besiege the city of Amorium in Galatia. Through the treachery of the commander Vadizes, Amorium fell, and forty-⁠two of its defenders, soldiers, were taken prisoner and sent to Syria. For seven years of harsh imprisonment the captives were urged in vain to renounce the Christian faith and accept Islam. They stubbornly rejected flattering offers and bravely bore terrible threats. After many tortures, having failed to break their spirit, they were condemned to death. It was hoped that their steadfastness might be shaken even before the execution. To the soldier Theodore they said, "We know that you left holy orders and became a soldier and shed blood. You cannot hope in Christ, acknowledge Muhammad." The martyr answered confidently that he had not renounced Christ, but that for having left holy orders he ought to shed his blood.

The condemned approached the executioners calmly and without fear. They were beheaded and their bodies were thrown into the Euphrates. The service praises the holy sufferers: the "all-⁠blessed" Theodore, the "invincible" Callistus, the "valiant" Constantine, the "wonderful" Theophilus and the "most strong" Basoes. The traitor Vadizes did not escape a shameful fate: the enemy knew that a traitor cannot be trusted and put him to death.

Theodore is commemorated on 19 March (new style). The story of their martyrdom was also written down by Saint Demetrius of Rostov.