Holy Great Martyr Theodore Tiron: biography, history and interesting facts

Since the inception of the Orthodox religion, and in subsequent times, there were ascetics, whose strength and faith were stronger than earthly suffering and deprivation. The memory of such people will forever remain in the Holy Scriptures, religious traditions and hearts of millions of believers. Thus, the name of the Holy Great Martyr Theodore Tiron, a self-sacrificing fighter against paganism and the ardent adherent of the Christian faith, is forever inscribed in history.

Life

At the beginning of the 4th century, the struggle of the pagans with preachers of the Gospel was still going on, and persecutions were taking place ever more severely. It was during this difficult time, according to the Scriptures, that Theodore Tiron lived. His life begins with the description of service in the army (306), which took place in the city of Amasia (northeastern part of Asia Minor). It is also known that he was born in a noble family. His father held a high position, because their family was respected.

By order of the Roman emperor Galerius, a campaign was conducted in Amasia to convert Christians to pagan faith. Forcibly, they had to sacrifice stone idols. Those who resisted, were imprisoned, betrayed cruel tortures, killed.

When this news reached the legion in which Theodore Tiron served, the youth openly protested to his military leader Vrinka. In response, he was given several days to think. Theodore held them in prayer and did not depart from the faith. Going out into the street, he noticed a rapid revival. A convoy with a string of captive Christians passed by him, led them into a dungeon. It was hard for him to look at it, but he firmly believed in Jesus Christ and hoped for the establishment of true faith. On the main square of the city, Theodore saw a pagan temple. The wicked priest called on the "dark" people to bow to idols and offer them sacrifices in order to obtain all the desired blessings. The same night, Theodore Tiron set this temple on fire. The next morning he left only a pile of logs and broken images of pagan idols. Everyone was tormented by the question, why did the gods of their ancestors not protect themselves?

Testing

The pagans knew who set fire to their temple, and surrendered Theodore to the chief of the city. He was captured and imprisoned. The mayor ordered to kill the prisoner with hunger. But on the very first night Jesus Christ appeared to him, who strengthened him in faith. After several days of confinement, the guards, hoping to see the exhausted and exhausted Theodore Tiron, were surprised at how cheerful and enthusiastic he was.

Later he was subjected to many tortures and tortures, but thanks to the invincible power of spirit and prayer he suffered all the suffering and remained alive. Seeing this, the city governor of Amesia ordered him to be burned at the stake. But even this time the great martyr Theodore Tiron sang a thankful prayer to Christ. Firmly and unswervingly he stood for the holy faith. And in the end he still gave up his spirit. However, ancient evidence indicates that his body was not touched by fire, which, of course, was a miracle for many and made him believe in the true Lord.

Day Angel

They remember Saint Theodore on February 17 (18) according to the old style, and on a new one - on March 1 in a leap year, on March 2 - in a non-leap year. Also on the first Saturday of Lent in the Orthodox churches is a grateful celebration of the Holy Great Martyr. These days all the Fyodors celebrate the day of the angel, who wish to order a prayerful canon. There are also prayers, troparia, which help believers turn to the saint for help.

Icon

In iconography, Theodore Tiron is depicted in a military uniform of that time with a spear in his hand. Even after death, he continues to help believers: strengthens their spirit, keeps peace and understanding in the family, keeps from temptations and evil intentions.

There is an apocrypha about the exploits of St. Tyrone, where he appears as a hero-snake-player. This legend is a fragment, a description of the martyrdom suffered by Theodore Tyrone. His life is only slightly affected at the beginning of the narrative. Apocryphus was the source of the icon "The Miracle of Theodore Tyrone of the Dragon" by Nicephorus Savin (early 17th century). Its composition, like a mosaic, is made up of several plot moments. In the center of the icon is a figure of a woman in the grasping embrace of a winged serpent. On the right is the mother of the Great Martyr in the well and surrounded by aspids, and on the left the king and queen are watching how Theodore fights with the many-headed serpent. A little later the author gives the scene of the liberation of the mother of the martyr from the well and the descent of the angel with the crown for the hero.

Temple

The Orthodox faith does not forget and honors the memory of the martyrdom, creating holy images, sacred places. So, in January 2013 in Moscow (in Khoroshevo-Mnevniki) the temple of Theodore Tiron was consecrated. This is a small wooden church, comprising a four-legged under a gable roof with a cupola, porch and altar. Daily there morning and evening services are held, and on Saturday and Sunday the liturgy is read. Citizens and believers of the capital can visit the temple at a convenient time for themselves.

Interesting Facts

• Tyrone is the nickname of Theodore. From Latin it literally translates as "rookie" and given to the saint in honor of his military service. Since all the trials that fell to the share of the martyr, fell at a time when he was a recruit in the legion.
• First, the remains of the Great Martyr (according to legend, untouched by fire) were buried by a Christian Eusebius in the Euchaites (the territory of Turkey, not far from Amasia). Then the relics were transported to Constantinople (modern Istanbul). His head is currently in Italy, the city of Gaeta.
• There is a legend about the miracle that Saint Theodore Tiron showed after his martyrdom. The Roman pagan emperor Julian the Apostate, ruling in 361-363, planned to offend Christians, therefore ordered the governor of Constantinople, during Lent, to sprinkle food, which is sold in the markets of the city, with idol-sacred blood. But the night before the realization of the plan, Archbishop Evdokia was accompanied by Feodor Tiron in a dream and warned of imperial cunning. Then the archbishop ordered the Christians these days to eat only kutya. That is why on the first Saturday of the Great Lent they hold a thankful celebration in honor of the saint, they are treated with kutya and read laudatory prayers.
• In ancient Russia, the first week of fasting was called Fedorova's Week. This is also an echo of the memory of the miracle of Theodore Tyrone.