Theodore of Kazan

Holy Martyr Theodore of Kazan is one of the martyrs of Kazan: John (1529), Stephen, Peter (1552), Boris, Jacob, Theodore, Sylvan, another Theodore, Basil, yet another Theodore, Demetrius, Michael, John and Basil (1552 to 1553), Orthodox Russians and Tatars, who suffered for Christ in Kazan at the hands of the Hagarenes, enduring cruel tortures and death for steadfastness in the Orthodox faith. Tradition has preserved some details of the lives of Saint John, commemorated specially on 6 February, and of Stephen and Peter, commemorated specially on 6 April.

Of the other martyrs only the names are known: Boris (Saltykov), Jacob (Evstafiev), Theodore (Churkin), Sylvan (Vasiliev), Theodore (Baklanovsky), Vasily (Konstantinov), Theodore (Konstantinov), Demetrius (Konstantinov), Michael (Kuzminsky), John (Fyodorov) and Vasily. Their martyrdom is placed in the years 1552 to 1553. One of the three Theodores is not included in the present Menologion of the Russian Church.

A short account of the martyrs John, Stephen and Peter was written in the letter of the Metropolitan of Kazan, later Patriarch, the Holy Hieromartyr Hermogenes, to Patriarch Job. The patriarch's reply, of 3 February 1592, said that those slain near Kazan are entered in the Great Synodikon and that their commemoration is held on the second day of the Protection of the Mother of God, while John, Stephen and Peter, besides the Great Synodikon, were also entered in the litanies and in the daily order. Theodore is commemorated on 15 October (new style).