Theodore of Pavia

Saint Theodore was bishop of Pavia in northern Italy from 743 until his death around 778. He was exiled several times by the Lombard kings. He is commemorated on 20 May.

He was the twenty-⁠first bishop of Pavia. He belonged to the clergy of Pavia and became bishop in 740 or 743. His episcopate fell in the time of the war between the Franks and the Lombards: he saw the siege of Pavia in 773. During the war he was sent into exile, but he returned to his see after the victory of Charlemagne, king of the Franks.

One source gives his death around 769, another around 778. His remains were placed in the church of San Giovanni in Borgo and then moved to the basilica of Sant'Agnese, later named after him. Together with Syrus he is a patron of the city of Pavia, and his body lies in the church that bears his name.

He lived before the separation of the Churches, and so he is venerated as a saint of the undivided Church.