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Commemorated on April 3, May 29
The Holy Martyress
Theodosia of Tyre suffered in the year 307. On 29 May is celebrated the
transfer of her relics to Constantinople, and later on to Venice.
Once, during a time
of persecution against Christians, which then had already lasted for five
years, the seventeen year old Theodosia went up to condemned Christian
prisoners, situated in the Praetorium. It was the day of Holy Pascha, and the
martyrs spoke about the Kingdom of God. Saint Theodosia asked them to remember
her before the Lord, when they should come to stand before Him. Soldiers saw
that the maiden bowed to the prisoners, and they seized hold of her and led her
before the governor, Urban. The governor advised the maiden to offer sacrifice
to the idols but she refused, confessing her faith in Christ. Then they
subjected the saint to cruel tortures, – her body they struck at with iron
claws such that they did lay bare the bones. The martyress was silent and with
an happy face endured the sufferings, and to a second suggestion by the
governor to offer sacrifice to the idols she answered: "Thou fool, I have
been granted to join the martyrs!" They threw the maiden with a stone
about her neck into the sea, but Angels drew her out from the depths. Then they
gave over the martyress for devouring by wild beasts. Seeing that the beasts
would not touch her, they cut off her head. By night Saint Theodosia appeared
to her parents, who had tried to talk their daughter into not going to the
sufferings. She was in bright garb with a crown upon her head and a luminous
gold cross in her hand, and she said: "Behold the great glory that ye did
want to deprive me of!".
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
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