Life and Martyrdom
According to the tradition recorded in his life, Theodore originated from Euchaita in Asia Minor (born about 281). Early in life he killed a giant serpent that was terrorizing the Euchaita countryside, an exploit that established his military reputation.
Emperor Licinius appointed him stratelates — military commander — and governor of Heraclea. Upon assuming the post, Theodore openly practiced his faith and preached to the populace, converting nearly the entire city through his persuasiveness and personal example.
When Licinius began to persecute Christians and demanded that Theodore sacrifice to the pagan gods, Theodore invited the emperor to Heraclea, promising a sacrifice. Instead, he gathered the gold and silver statues of the gods, broke them into pieces, and distributed the metal to the poor.
Discovered, he was arrested and subjected to fierce tortures: he was dragged, beaten with iron rods, pierced with spikes, burned, and had his eyes removed, before being crucified. By the tradition of his life, an angel healed his body and freed him from the cross; imperial soldiers found him alive and unharmed the following morning and were baptized. Theodore then voluntarily surrendered to Licinius and was beheaded by the sword on February 8, 319, on a Saturday at the third hour of the day. His servant Varus, also venerated as a saint, witnessed and documented the martyrdom.