Since the inception of the Orthodox religion and in the subsequenttimes there were ascetics, the strength of spirit and faith which were stronger than earthly suffering and deprivation. The memory of such people will always remain in the Holy Scriptures, religious traditions and hearts of millions of believers. Thus, the name of the holy GreatMartyr Theodore Tiron, a self-sacrificing fighter against paganism and the ardent adherent of the Christian faith, is forever inscribed in history.
At the beginning of the 4th century the struggle continuedpagans with preachers of the Gospel, persecutions were more and more severe. It was in 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, so their family was respected.
By order of the Roman Emperor Galerius in Amasiaa campaign was conducted to convert Christians into 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 whichserved Theodore Tiron, a young man openly protested to his military leader Vrinka. In response, he was given several days for reflection. Theodore held them in prayer and did not depart from the faith. Going out into the street, he noticed a stormy animation. A convoy with a string of captive Christians passed by him, led them into a dungeon. It was hard for him to look at this, 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 the broken statues of pagan idols. Everyone was tormented by the question, why did the gods of their ancestors not protect themselves?
The pagans knew who set fire to their temple, and handed overTheodore to the head of the city. He was captured and imprisoned. The mayor ordered to kill the prisoner with hunger. But the first night he appeared Jesus Christ, 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 inspired he was.
Later he was subjected to many tortures and tortures,but thanks to the indestructible power of the 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.
They remember Saint Theodore on February 17 (18) onold style, and on a new - 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, wishing to order a prayerful canon. There are also prayers, troparia, which help believers turn to the saint for help.
In the iconography of Theodore of Tiron is depicted in the militarythe form of the time with a spear in his hand. Even after death, he continues to help believers: strengthens their spirit, keeps peace and mutual understanding in the family, keeps them from temptations and evil intentions.
There is an apocrypha about the exploits of Saint Tyrone, wherehe appears as a serpent-hero. This tale is a passage, a description of the martyrdom which Theodore of Tyrone suffered. His life is only slightly affected at the beginning of the story. Apocrypha served as the source for the creation of the icon “The Miracle of Theodore of Tyrone of the Serpent” by Nikifor Savin (beginning of the 17th century). Its composition, like a mosaic, is composed of several plot points. In the center of the icon is visible the figure of a woman in the tenacious embrace of the winged serpent. On the right is the mother of the great martyr in the well and surrounded by asps, and on the left is the king and the queen watching how Theodore fights with the many-headed serpent. Below, the author cites 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.
Orthodox faith does not forget and honors memoryGreat Martyrdom, creating holy images, sacred places. So, in January 2013 in Moscow (in Khoroshevo-Mnevniki) the church of Theodore Tyron was consecrated. This is a small wooden church, including a quadrangle under a gable roof with a cupola, porch and altar. Morning and evening services are held there daily, and on the Saturday and Sunday the liturgy is read. Citizens and believers of the capital can visit the temple at a convenient time for themselves.
