Saint Theodore Stratilat. Temple of Theodore Stratelates on the Creek

The Great Martyr Theodore Stratilat is one of the saints recognized by all Christian churches. It has been revered in Russia for a long time, as evidenced by the ancient temples, in the name of this saint. This includes the church of Theodore Stratelates on the stream. It is considered one of the most beautiful examples of medieval Novgorod architecture and has been a source of inspiration for many Russian architects for almost 7 centuries.

So who was Theodore Stratilat? Learn more details of his life will help this article.

The situation of Christians in the Roman Empire at the end of the 3rd century. N. E.

According to the tradition of the Orthodox Church, Theodore Stratilat was born in Asia Minor in the town of Euchaite. He was a brave, handsome young man who professed Christianity. At a fairly young age, he joined the Roman army. In the reign of Emperor Likinia, severe persecution of Christians began. However, the Romans saw that those who believed in the Savior gladly accepted a martyr's death for their faith. Then the Gentiles began to persecute Christians occupying state posts and enjoying respect from the people. For this purpose, the Forty Sebastean Martyrs and several other important dignitaries from the surroundings of Likinia were killed.

Life

Theodore Stratilat became revered among his fellow citizens after he killed a snake who lived north of his native town of Euchait. According to legend, this bloodthirsty monster was hiding in a hole in an unseasoned field. Once a day it was selected on the surface, attacked livestock and people, and satiated, returned to its lair.

Theodore decided to save the inhabitants of the Euchait from this misfortune. On the way to the sanctuary of the beast, he lay down to rest. Soon he was awakened by an elderly Christian Eusebius, in whose hut were the relics of Theodore Tiron, and gave advice on how to defeat the monster. The future great martyr prayed and asked his horse to help him in the name of Christ. He sat on his horse and, having boarded the field, summoned the snake to battle. After the monster crawled out of its lair, Feodor's horse jumped on his back and the rider with God's help was able to hit the beast with a spear.

When the inhabitants of the Euchaite saw the body of the fallen serpent, they bound this feat of Theodore with his faith in Jesus Christ and many decided to reject the pagan gods.

Preaching

After saving the Euchait from the monster, Theodore was appointed stratilat (commander) in the city of Herakleia. There he began to openly preach Christianity and succeeded in this matter. Soon the Emperor Licinius was informed that most of the inhabitants of Herakleia and its environs were converted to a new faith. He sent to the stratite dignitaries, who were to lead Theodore to Rome. However, the future great martyr himself invited the emperor to Herakleia. He promised him to arrange a demonstrative sacrifice to the pagan gods to prove his loyalty to Rome and the emperor, and also serve as an example for the people.

After the letter was sent, Fyodor began to pray day and night, until one day he was illuminated by unearthly light and heard a voice from heaven, who said: "Dare! With you I! ".

Death

Soon the emperor arrived in Heraclea and 8000 Roman legionaries, who brought with them several dozen gold and silver statues of pagan gods. Theodore Stratilat (photo of the Greek icon with his picture see below) asked Licinius for permission to place idols in his house, ostensibly for him to be able to give them praise all night. When the emperor agreed, the stratylate smashed the statues and distributed fragments of gold and silver statues to the poor.

In the morning the centurion Maxentius noticed the poor man. He was carrying the head of the golden statue of Venus. Then Maxentius told him to grab and learned from the beggar that the head was given to him by Theodore Stratilat. About this unprecedented from the point of view of the Romans sacrilege Maxentius immediately reported to the emperor. The great martyr summoned for questioning confessed his faith in Christ and began to prove to Licinius that he was mistaken, worshiping idols. In particular, he asked the emperor why the powerful gods of Rome did not incinerate him with their heavenly fire, when he outraged their images. Licinius was outraged and, since he could not object to the arguments of his stratilate, ordered that Fedor be tortured. He was hewn, burned with fire, imprisoned, starved for several days, blinded and crucified.

Deciding that Fyodor had died, Licinius ordered to leave him on the cross, but at night the angel of the Lord released him and healed the wounds. Seeing this miracle, the inhabitants of Heracleia believed in Christ and decided to show disobedience, demanding to stop the persecution of their stratylate.

The Great Martyr did not allow them to shed blood. He released prisoners from prisons, whom he commanded to live according to the covenants of the Lord, and healed the sick who came to him. Then, having given the last orders, he himself went on a voluntary execution. On February 8, 319, by the order of Licinius, his head was cut off, and the body was delivered and buried in the native city of Fedor-Euhaite, in the estate of the parents of the Great Martyr.

Miracles

After the death and burial, the saint began to help Christians and punish their enemies in different parts of the earth.

Thus, according to the patriarch of Antioch and John Damascene, who lived in the 7th-8th centuries, when the Saracens captured Syria, the temple of Theodore, near Damascus, was desecrated. He was ruined and began to be used as a dwelling. One day one of the Saracens fired a bow from the image of Stratelate. The arrow that shot him fell into the shoulder of the saint and blood blew across the wall. The Saracens and their families who lived in the building did not leave the temple. But after a while they all died. The causes of the illness that infects the infidels have not been clarified, while all who lived next door disease passed by.

Another miracle occurred during the last battle of the war of 970-971 between the Russians and Byzantines. According to the "Tale of Bygone Years" Saint Theodore Stratilat helped the Greeks to restrain the army of Svyatoslav Igorevich with a substantial numerical superiority of the Russs.

Memory

The Day of Theodore Stratelates is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on the Julian calendar on February 8 and June 8, and the Catholic Church on February 7. Since 2010, with the blessing of Patriarch Kirill, the Great Martyr is the heavenly patron of the Federal Service of Judicial Bailiffs of the Russian Federation.

Theodore Tyrone

There are many icons that depict two warriors in armor. This is Fyodor Stratilat and his namesake nicknamed Tiron. According to legend, both soldiers were born in the same Roman province. Theodore Tyrone was a warrior of the Marmarite regiment, who lodged in the city of Amasia. He refused to obey his centurion Vring and did not take part in public worship of idols. For this he was brutally tortured, and then burned at the stake. However, the remains of the Great Martyr were not damaged by fire, and the Christian Eusebius buried them in her house.

The life of both saints is closely intertwined with each other, and they are often depicted together. This is due to the fact that during the existence of the Byzantine Empire, these great martyrs personified the Christian beginning in the military might of the state. Both Feodors were also associated with George the Victorious, probably from a similar story with a victory over the serpent.

Temple of Theodore Stratelates on the Creek

In honor of this saint, churches were consecrated in different parts of the world. Among them, a special place is occupied by the temple on the creek, which is located in Veliky Novgorod. It was founded in 1360 on the donation of the Novgorod posadnik Semen Andreevich and his mother Natalia.

The Church of St. Theodore Stratelates is a classic monument of medieval Novgorod architecture. Its building is a four-pillar single-headed building in the form of a cube, in which the facade, especially the apses and drums are decorated with various decorative elements. On the west side, there is a bell tower and an annex built in the 17th century. Address of the building: st. Fedorovsky Stream, d. 19-a.

The temple is also interesting because it is possible to read medieval "graffiti" on its walls, including comic content left by the Novgorodians about 700 years ago. Today the church functions as a museum and its visit is included in many excursion programs.

The Church of Theodore Stratelates is also in the capital. The temple dedicated to this saint is located not far from Chistye Prudy, in Arkhangelskiy lane and it was built in 1806.

Chelter Koba

In the Crimea and to this day operates the monastery of Theodore Stratelates, considered one of the oldest on the peninsula. It was founded by icon-worshipers in the 8th-9th century, and lasted until 1475, until the principality of Theodoro was captured by the Ottoman Empire. In the monastery lived 15-20 people. In total 22 caves of different purposes, including those used as cells, have been preserved. There is also a large refectory hall.

The revival of the monastery, which belongs to the RIC, began in 2000.

Now you know the details of the life of one of the most famous great martyrs, revered by the Orthodox and Catholic churches. You also know where the famous temple of Theodore Stratelates is in Veliky Novgorod, so when you are in this city, you can admire this magnificent piece of medieval Russian architecture.