Theodore of Rome

Holy Martyr Theodore of Rome, a tribune, is commemorated in the company around the Holy Hieromartyr Hippolytus, the Holy Martyrs Censorinus and Sabinus and the Holy Martyr Chrysia the virgin, together with twenty other martyrs, who suffered in the third century. His name is not included in the present Menologion of the Russian Church.

Censorinus, the first dignitary under the Emperor Claudius II (268 to 270), was imprisoned on a denunciation for faith in Christ. In prison he raised a dead man in the name of Jesus Christ, and twenty soldiers, the guards of the prison, believed and, with him, were beheaded. The maiden Chrysia, brought to trial, confessed herself a Christian with courage, was cruelly tortured and drowned in the sea. Sabinus was struck with a heavy hammer, then hung from a tree and burned with fire, and gave up his soul in torments.

With Chrysia suffered Philicles, Maximus, Herculinus, Venerius, Stiracinus, Mina, Commodus, Hermes, Maurus, Eusebius, Rusticus, Monagrius, Amandinus, Olympius, Cyprian, Theodore the tribune, the presbyter Maximus, the deacon Archelaus and the bishop Cyrinus. Saint Hippolytus, bishop of Ostia, the port of Rome, came to the trial despite his great age and rebuked the judge for his lack of mercy, calling him bloodthirsty. The judge gave him over to torture, then bound him hand and foot and threw him into the sea. Theodore the tribune is commemorated on 12 February (new style).