Hieromartyr4th century

Theodotus of Cyrenia

died c. 326

Also known as Theodotus Bishop of Cyrenia

Bishop in Cyprus who preached against idolatry and suffered for the faith during the persecution under the emperor Licinius in the early fourth century.

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Commemorated as

The Holy Hieromartyr Theodotus, Bishop of Cyrenia in Cyprus

Life

Theodotus was a bishop of Cyrenia (Kyrenia) on the island of Cyprus in the early fourth century. A native of Galatia in Asia Minor, he openly preached Christ and called the pagans of the island to abandon idolatry and turn to the true God.

During the persecution under the emperor Licinius he was arrested, tortured, and imprisoned for his confession of the faith. Released when Constantine the Great granted freedom to Christians, he resumed his episcopal ministry and reposed in peace about the year 326. The Church commemorates him as a hieromartyr.

Kontakion & Troparion2 hymnsReadHide

KontakionTone 3

You denounced the depths of false belief.
With the Orthodox faith you wounded the delusion of idolatry.
As a godly, whole burnt sacrifice,
you refreshed the ends of the earth with your wonders!
O holy hierarch Theodotus, our father,
entreat Christ God to grant us great mercy!

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

TroparionTone 4

By sharing in the ways of the Apostles,
you became a successor to their throne.
Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God;
by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, even to the shedding of your blood.
Hieromartyr Theodotus, entreat Christ God to save our souls.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline4 momentsReadHide

early 4th centuryEpiscopate at CyreniaTheodotus, originally from Galatia in Asia Minor, served as bishop of Cyrenia in Cyprus, where he preached Christ and urged the pagan population to abandon the worship of idols.
during the reign of Licinius (311–324)Arrest and tortureWhen Governor Sabinus of Cyprus ordered his arrest, Theodotus presented himself voluntarily rather than flee. He was subjected to severe torments and imprisoned for his confession of Christ.
after the Edict of tolerationRelease under ConstantineWhen Constantine the Great granted religious freedom to Christians, Theodotus was freed along with other imprisoned believers and returned to Cyrenia.
c. 326ReposeAfter serving as bishop for about two more years, Theodotus fell asleep in peace around the year 326.

Contributions & Legacy

2 contributionsReadHide

Confession and Suffering

According to the synaxarion, when Governor Sabinus of Cyprus moved against him, Theodotus did not wait to be seized but came forward of his own accord, declaring that he had shown himself in order to preach Christ. The governor responded with a series of torments, recorded in the tradition as beating, suspension from a tree, and raking with sharp implements, followed by being laid on an iron grate over a fire and having nails driven into his feet.

The accounts relate that after these torments he was held in prison for five days and then tortured further. His steadfastness under suffering is said to have moved many onlookers to embrace Christianity, after which the governor returned him to prison rather than continue.

Release and Repose

Although he suffered grievously for the faith, Theodotus was not put to death. When Constantine the Great extended toleration to Christians, he was released and went back to Cyrenia, where he continued as bishop for about two years before reposing peacefully around 326. He is venerated as a hieromartyr — a bishop who suffered for Christ — even though his death came in peace rather than by execution.

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints