Theophilus of Zakynthos

Holy Martyr Theophilus of Zakynthos lived in the first third of the seventeenth century and died burned by the Turks on 24 July 1635, for his faith in Christ.

At eighteen he was a sailor. During a stop of his ship on the island of Chios he quarrelled with his captain. A Turkish seaman wished to use the occasion to draw him into his service. The Christian refused, and the Muslim accused him before a local judge of wearing a fez unlawfully, the sign of belonging to Islam. Theophilus stood against all threats and false promises, but the Turks succeeded in circumcising him by force. Then they decided to present him as a gift to the sultan at Constantinople. Yet in the evening, when his captors went to the mosque, Theophilus managed to escape and hid for three days with the captain, with whom he was reconciled.

After reaching Samos he returned to Chios and was at once recognized by the Turks, who seized him and brought him before the judge, accusing him of apostasy. Theophilus said that he was a Christian and wished to die a Christian, and that for nothing in the world would he exchange the light of his faith for darkness. He was thrown into a dark prison and after three days stood again before the judge. He exposed the falsehood of Islam in the hearing of all and for this was scourged, and after the third interrogation he was condemned to be burned alive.

The saint set out gladly for the place of execution, as to a royal feast, carrying bundles of brushwood on his back for the pyre. When he was brought to the monastery of Saint George, the Turks gathered there lit the fire at once. The saint climbed onto the pyre himself and, with songs of thanksgiving on his lips, gave his soul to God.

Saint Theophilus is commemorated on 6 August, following the Greek calendar. He is not included in the present calendar of the Russian Church.