Theodotia of Adrianople

Holy Martyr Theodotia of Adrianople suffered together with the Holy Martyrs Alexander the bishop and Heraclius the soldier and the women Anna, Elizabeth and Glyceria, put to death for confessing Christ in the third century at Adrianople. This century is known as the time of the spread of Christianity among the pagans. In spite of the persecutions, Bishop Alexander fearlessly brought many pagans to the saving faith and baptized them.

The governor of the region in which the hierarch lived ordered the soldiers to obtain Alexander's renunciation of Christ by tortures. The hierarch patiently bore the terrible torments. Astonished, the soldier Heraclius believed in Christ, for whom Bishop Alexander suffered. After him Anna, Elizabeth, Theodotia and Glyceria confessed themselves Christians.

Theodotia is commemorated on 4 November (new style), together with the others. Their story was also written down by Saint Demetrius of Rostov.