SAINT THEODORE, martyr. — In the Greek Synaxarion a THEODORE is commemorated on 8 February as a martyr of Heraclea, and on the 17th of the same month a THEODORE, a recruit, as a martyr at Euchaita.
In the Roman Martyrology, THEODORE is also recorded twice: on 7 February and on 9 November; according to the *Passio*, the latter date would be his *dies natalis* and probably also the anniversary of the dedication of the church in his honour beneath the Palatine. In reality, there exists only one THEODORE, namely the recruit, whose cult was very widespread in antiquity. At Constantinople a church in his honour was built in 452; at Rome his image is found on the sacred wall of the basilica of SS. Cosmas and Damian, erected by Felix IV (526–30), and in the 8th century a diaconia (q.v.) was dedicated to him beneath the Palatine; monasteries dedicated to him outside the city are recorded in the 6th century at Palermo and Messina (S. Gregory the Great, *Reg. Epist.*, in *MGH, Epist.*, ed. P. Ewald–L. M. Hartmann, I, Berlin 1887, p. 11; II, ibid. 1891, p. 65). He suffered martyrdom at Amasea but was buried at Euchaita, where a basilica frequented by pilgrims was built and in which St Gregory of Nyssa delivered a discourse (*PG* 46, 736–48). From this and from another lost writing derives the present *Passio*, which follows similar writings. Of eastern origin and enrolled in the army, THEODORE was transferred with his legion to Pontus. When the persecution of Diocletian broke out, he was accused as a Christian and brought before the tribunal of the tribune, who with promises and threats tried to compel him to sacrifice. Time for reflection was granted him, but THEODORE took advantage of it to set fire to the temple of Cybele. He was then tortured and finally condemned to be burned. In the Roman liturgical books the feast occurs on 9 November.