Holy Hieromartyr Theodotus of Kyrenia (+326)

The holy Hieromartyr Theodotus of Kyrenia (+326), Bishop of the Cypriot city of Kyrenia, came from Galatia. In the time of the lawless Licinius (307–324) he fearlessly preached the teaching of Christ among the pagans. Sabinus, the ruler of Cyprus, ordered the bishop to be seized. When the saint learned of this, he came to him himself and said: “I am the one thou seekest; I have come to confess Christ God.” By the ruler’s order Theodotus was mercilessly beaten, tied to a tree and cut with sharp knives, and then thrown into prison. Five days later the martyr was again brought before Sabinus, who once more demanded that he change his faith. Theodotus did not cease preaching Christ. The executioners laid the saint on an iron grate and lit a fire under it, then drove nails into his feet and forced him to walk. The witnesses of Saint Theodotus’s torments, inspired by his patience and God-inspired words, confessed Christ. When Sabinus learned of this, he ordered the torture to stop, and had the saint put in prison.

Soon, by order of Saint Constantine the Great (commemorated 21 May), freedom was granted to all imprisoned Christians. Saint Theodotus was set free together with the others. The saint returned to Kyrenia, where he served as bishop for two years, and then, in 326, reposed in peace.