St. Theodore Tyro

Theodore was a young soldier stationed at Amasea in Pontus during the persecution begun under Diocletian. His surname Tyro refers to a recruit. Butler begins his account with the sermon that St. Gregory of Nyssa later preached at the martyr’s shrine, describing the faithful gathering there and asking Theodore’s intercession for the Church and their country.

The martyrdom narrative relates that Theodore openly acknowledged Christ when questioned by his commanders. Given time to reconsider, he remained determined. It also records his burning of a pagan temple, an act that brought him again before the authorities. Promises of advancement and threats of punishment did not obtain the sacrifice demanded of him. He endured torture and imprisonment before being condemned to death by fire.

Gregory’s sermon is an important witness to the early honour paid to this martyr, including the paintings of his sufferings in the shrine. Butler distinguishes the Latin commemoration on November 9 from the February observance in the East. His accompanying note also warns against confusing this Theodore with Theodore Stratelates, another military martyr whose name appears in the Eastern calendars.