Hieromartyr Theodore, Bishop of Cyrene (+310)

The Hieromartyr Theodore, Bishop of Cyrene, laboured in the time of the Emperor Diocletian (284–305). He was highly skilled in calligraphy and wrote service books for the churches. His own son, Leo, denounced his father to Dignianus, the governor of the region, saying that he kept Christian books at home, taught the people to insult the pagan gods and preached the faith of Christ to them. The hierarch Theodore was brought before the tribunal. The judge demanded that the blessed one hand the books over to him, but the saint refused. The confessor was cruelly beaten with iron rods, but the torture only strengthened his courage further. The martyr’s tongue was cut out, and then he was thrown into prison, where he ended his earthly life and joined blessed eternity (+310). Also put to death were the women Lucia and Hieroia and all the Christians baptised by the hand of the venerable Theodore.