Holy Martyr Theodotia (+c. 230)

The holy Martyr Theodotia, a Cappadocian by birth, suffered in the city of Nicaea in the time of the Emperor Alexander Severus (222–235). When a certain Simplicius was appointed governor of Cappadocia, he was told that the wealthy lady Theodotia confessed Christ. The governor summoned the one who hoped in the Saviour, and tried for a long time to turn her from the true faith. The lawless ruler was soon convinced that no admonition would bear fruit, and handed the courageous confessor over to the executioners. Theodotia was hung up, beaten cruelly and thrown into prison. Eight days later, when the saint was brought out again for torture, the traces of the torments she had endured could barely be seen on her. By Simplicius’s order the martyr was thrown into a heated furnace.

Some time later the priests opened the furnace to scatter the martyr’s ashes, but the fire swallowed up the lawless men, while those who survived saw Theodotia completely unharmed.

The martyr’s unbending firmness gave Simplicius no rest. He travelled to Byzantium, and on the way back stopped at Ancyra and ordered Theodotia to be brought to him again. At Simplicius’s command she was at once thrown onto red-hot iron, but the Lord’s chosen one again remained unharmed. Then the godless ruler ordered the blessed one to be taken to the city of Nicaea, hoping that he could persuade her to offer sacrifice in the pagan temple; but at Theodotia’s prayer the idols fell from their altars and were shattered. The furious Simplicius ordered Theodotia to be beheaded. Her body was committed to the earth by Sophronius, bishop of Nicaea.