Saint Theodotus of Ancyra

The edict published at Nicomedia in 303 soon arrived in Galatia, which had Theoctenu Théoctène Cruel governor of Galatia under Diocletian. s as governor. He was a cruel man who, to curry favor with the prince, had promised him to exterminate the Christian name within the extent of his province in a short time. Scarcely had the rumor of the arrival of the edict spread in Ancyra, when most of the faithful took flight. Many hid in the deserts and on the mountains. There was nothing among the pagans but feasts and rejoicings. They ran to the houses of the Christians, and carried off everything that suited them, without meeting any opposition. It would have been dangerous to let the slightest complaint be heard. If any Christian appeared in public, he had to choose between suffering for his religion or apostatizing. The most prominent were stripped of their goods, after which they were led to prison, where they were loaded with irons. Their wives and daughters were dragged ignominiously through the streets: not even the little children were spared, whose only crime was to have been born to Christian parents.

While the persecution was thus making its ravages felt in the city of Ancyra, Theodotus assisted the imprisoned confessors and buried the bodies of the martyrs, even though it was forbidden, under pain of death, to render them this duty. The governor had ordered that all foodstuffs necessary for human sustenance be offered to the idols before being exposed for sale: by this means, the Christians found themselves reduced either to dying of hunger or to participating in idolatry; they even found it impossible to make their offering at the altar. Theodotus had fortunately provided himself with an ample supply of wheat and wine that had not been defiled by the sacrilegious ceremonies of the pagans. He sold them at the price they had cost him; which enabled the faithful to provide pure oblations for the altar, and to procure provisions that they could use without wounding their conscience, and without causing offense to the idolaters. It was thus that, under the cover of a profession authorized by the laws, the inn of Theodotus had changed into an asylum for all the Christians of the city; that his house had become a place of prayer where they gathered to worship the true God; that the sick found an infirmary at his home, and strangers a secure hospice. The fear of being discovered did not prevent him from seizing every opportunity to manifest his zeal for the glory of God.

Victor, one of his friends, was arrested around the same time. The priests of Diana accused him of having said of Apollo that he had corrupted his own sister, and that it was a shame for the Greeks to honor as a god one who was guilty of a crime that even the most brazen libertines would not dare to commit. The judge offered him his pardon if he would comply with the edict of the emperors. "Obey," he told him, "and your submission will be rewarded with honorable positions. Know that in case of obstinacy, you must expect cruel torments and the most painful death. Your property will be confiscated, your entire family will perish, and your body, after having endured all kinds of torture, will be devoured by furious dogs."

Theodotus, informed of the danger his friend was in, ran to the prison where he was confined; he strongly exhorted him to rise above the threats of the persecutors and to despise all the promises used to rob him of the crown due to perseverance. Victor, fortified by this exhortation, felt animated with new courage, and he suffered the torments patiently as long as he remembered the instructions that Theodotus had given him. He was already reaching the end of his career, but his firmness suddenly abandoned him; he asked for time to deliberate on the proposals that had been made to him. He was taken back to prison, where he died from his wounds without having explained himself further. He thereby left the faithful in uncertainty regarding his salvation. This is what has made his reputation doubtful in the Church, and what has deprived him of the honor that is paid there to the memory of the martyrs.

There was, a few miles from Ancyra, a village named M alos. Malos Town near Ancyra where the relics of Theodotus were deposited. Theodotus, by a particular disposition of Providence, arrived there precisely at the moment when they were about to throw into the Halys River the remains of the body of the holy martyr Valens, who, after various tortures, had been condemned to be burned alive. He had the good fortune to procure these precious relics; he therefore took them with him to deposit them in a place of safety. When he was at some distance from the village, he met several people of his acquaintance. They were Christians whom their own parents had delivered to the persecutors for having overturned an altar of Diana, and to whom the Saint had recently helped regain their freedom; they were charmed to see him, and they rendered him thanks as the common benefactor of all the afflicted. Theodotus, for his part, showed great joy at the sight of the confessors of Jesus Christ; he begged them to accept some refreshment before moving on. Having all sat down on the grass, he sent to invite the priest of the village to come and eat with them, so that he might recite the prayers that were said before the meal, and those in which one implored the help of heaven for travelers.

Those who had been sent met the priest who was leaving the church after Sext, or the prayer of the sixth hour; but they did not recognize him at first. He told them of a dream he had had, then followed them to the place where the faithful were. He offered for them all to come and take their meal in his house. Theodotus excused himself by saying that his presence was necessary in Ancyra, and that the confessors of that city had a pressing need of his help. They therefore dined on the grass. The meal finished, Theodotus said to the priest, Fronton Priest of Malos who recovered the body of Theodotus. named Fronto: "This place seems to me very suitable for placing relics. Why do you delay in building a chapel here?" — "We would first need," replied the priest, "for us to have relics." — "God will procure them for you," replied Theodotus, "only take care to prepare the edifice to receive them; I assure you that they will not be long in coming." At the same time, he took his ring from his finger and gave it to Fronto as a pledge of the promise he had made him, after which he resumed the road to Ancyra. The persecution there had caused an upheaval similar to that produced by an earthquake.

Among those who had been arrested for the faith were seven virgins who, from childhood, had practiced the exercise of virtue. The governor, finding them unshakable in the faith, delivered them to young libertines to be outraged, in contempt of their religion, and to rob them of that chastity of which they had always been so jealous. They had nothing to defend themselves with but the prayers and tears they offered to Jesus Christ; they also protested against the violence that might be done to them. One of the band of libertines, who surpassed the others in impudence, seized Tecusa, the e ldest Técuse Christian virgin who raised Theodotus and died a martyr by drowning. of the virgins, and pulled her aside. She, bursting into tears, threw herself at his feet and spoke to him thus: "My son, what do you intend to do? Consider that we are consumed by old age, fasting, sickness, and torments. I am over seventy years old, and my companions are hardly less aged. It would be very shameful for you to approach persons whose bodies, like corpses, will soon be the prey of beasts and birds; for the governor has ordered that we be deprived of burial." Having then removed her veil to show him her white hair, she added: "Let yourself be softened by what you see; perhaps you have a mother of my age. If so, let her be our advocate with you. We only ask for permission to shed tears freely. May Jesus Christ reward you if, as I hope, you spare us!" Such a touching speech extinguished the impure fire in the hearts of the young libertines; they even mingled their tears with those of the seven virgins, and withdrew, detesting the inhumanity of the judge.

Theoctenus, having learned that they had preserved their purity, used another means to overcome their constancy. He proposed to have them initiated into the mysteries of Diana and Minerva, and to establish them as priestesses of these supposed deities. The pagans of Ancyra were accustomed to go every year to wash the images of their goddesses in a nearby pond. The day of the ceremony having arrived, the governor forced the virgins to be part of the festival. The idols were to be carried in pomp, each in a separate chariot. The seven virgins were also placed in open chariots and led to the pond, in order to be washed in the same manner as the statues of Diana and Minerva. They were standing, without clothing, and thereby exposed to the insolence of the populace. They were at the head of this impious festival; then came the chariots carrying the idols, followed by a great concourse of people. Theoctenus, accompanied by his guards, brought up the rear.

Meanwhile, Theodotus was in great anxiety regarding the seven virgins, and prayed to Jesus Christ to make them victorious over all the trials to which they were exposed; he awaited the outcome in a house near the church of the patriarchs, where he had shut himself up with some other Christians. All remained prostrate and in prayer from the break of day until noon, when they learned that Tecusa and her six companions had been drowned in the pond. Then Theodotus, transported with joy, rose to his knees; then, his eyes bathed in tears, he raised his hands to heaven and thanked the Lord aloud for having heard his prayers. He then asked how the event had transpired. He was answered by an eyewitness that the virgins had been insensible to the flatteries and promises of the governor; that they had repelled with indignation the former priestesses of Diana and Minerva, who presented them with the crown and the white robe as a mark of the priesthood being conferred upon them; that the governor had ordered large stones to be tied to their necks and that they be thrown into the place where the pond was deepest; that the order having been executed, they had lost their lives beneath the waters.

Theodotus deliberated w ith Polych Polychrone Christian who betrayed Theodotus under torture. ronius, master of the house where he was staying, on the means that could be taken to pull the bodies of the holy martyrs from the pond; but it was learned in the evening that the difficulty had become even greater, because the governor had posted guards near the pond. This news caused great pain to Theodotus: he immediately left his company to go to the church of the patriarchs. He could not enter; the pagans had walled up the door. Having prostrated himself outside near the conch where the altar was, he prayed for some time; from there he went to the church of the Fathers, whose door was also walled up: but while, prostrated against the ground, he poured out his soul in the presence of God, a great noise struck his ears. He imagined that he was being pursued; he fled, and returned to the house of Polychronius, where he spent the night. While he was sleeping, Tecusa appeared to him, and spoke to him thus: "You sleep, my son, without thinking of us. Have you forgotten the instructions that I gave you during your youth, and the care I took to lead you to virtue, against the expectation of your parents? When I lived on earth, you honored me as your mother; but you neglect me after my death, and you do not render me the final duties. Would you want our bodies to become the prey of fish? You must hasten, because a great combat awaits you in two days. Rise then, and go to the pond; but beware of a traitor."

Upon waking, Theodotus rose, and recounted the vision he had had to those who were in the house. When day had come, two Christians approached the pond to reconnoiter the guard. It was hoped that the soldiers would have withdrawn because of the feast of Diana; but they were mistaken. The faithful redoubled their prayers, and went until evening without eating; then they went out, carrying sharpened scythes to cut the ropes that held the holy bodies attached to the stones. The night was very dark, the moon and the stars gave no light. Having arrived at the place where the executions were carried out, and where no one dared to go after sunset, they were seized with horror at the sight of the severed heads that had been fixed on stakes, as well as the hideous remains of burned bodies; but they heard a voice that called Theodotus by his name, and that told him to advance without fearing anything. Frightened again, they formed the sign of the cross on their foreheads, and they saw at that instant a luminous cross on the side of the east. Having knelt down, they adored God and continued their journey. The darkness was so great that they could not see each other. At the same time, a heavy rain was falling that ruined the path so much that they could barely stand.

In the midst of so many difficulties, they again had recourse to prayer, and they were heard. They suddenly saw a torch that showed them the route they were to take. At the same moment, two men dressed in brilliant garments appeared to them, and said: "Take courage, Theodotus, the Lord Jesus has written your name among those of the martyrs; he sends us to receive you. It is we who are called Fathers. You will find near the pond Saint Sosander armed, whose sight terrifies the guards: but you should not have brought a traitor with you."

However, the storm continued, and the thunder rumbled horribly. The tempest, accompanied by a furious wind, bothered the guards greatly, who, despite this, remained at their post: but when they saw a man armed from head to toe and surrounded by flames, they were so frightened that they fled into nearby huts. The faithful, with the help of their guide, came to the edge of the pond. The wind blew with such violence that, pushing the water toward the edges, it uncovered the bottom where the bodies of the virgins were. Theodotus and his companions having retrieved them, carried them away and buried them near the church of the patriarchs. The names of the seven virgins were TECUSA, ALEXANDRIA, CLAUDIA, EUPHRASIA, MAYRONA, JULITTA, and PHAINA.

The next day the whole city was in an uproar due to the rumor that the bodies of the seven virgins had been taken away. As soon as a Christian appeared, they were immediately arrested and put to the question. Theodotus, learning that a great number had already been seized, wanted to go and surrender himself and confess the deed; but he was prevented by the brothers. However, Polychroni Polychrone Christian who betrayed Theodotus under torture. us, disguised as a peasant, went to the public square to better ascertain everything that was happening in the city. He was recognized despite his disguise and led before the governor, who had him put to the question. He suffered at first with patience; but he could not withstand the thought of the death with which he was threatened. He said that Theodotus had taken the bodies of the seven virgins and indicated the place where they had been buried. The governor immediately ordered them to be exhumed and burned. The Christians then recognized that Polychronius was the traitor they had been warned to guard against.

Theodotus, informed of the betrayal by the wretched Polychronius, saw clearly that his hour had come. He said goodbye to the brothers, asked for the help of their prayers, and thought only of preparing himself for the combat. He prayed for a long time with them himself, in order to obtain from God the end of the persecution and the peace of the Church; they then embraced one another with many tears. Theodotus, having made the sign of the cross over his whole body, walked with an intrepid step to the place of combat. He met two citizens, friends of his, who exhorted him to provide for his safety while there was still time. "The priestesses of Diana and Minerva," they told him, "are currently with the governor, before whom they are accusing you of turning the people away from worshipping their goddesses! Polychronius is there too to support what he has advanced regarding the removal of the holy bodies." "If you still love me," replied Theodotus, "do not make any efforts to turn me from my design; go rather and tell the governor that the one accused of impiety is at the door, and that he requests an audience."

Having spoken thus, he took the lead and suddenly appeared in the presence of his accusers. When he had entered, he looked with a smile at the fire, the wheels, the racks, and the other instruments of torture that had been prepared. Theotecnus told him that it was in his power not to suffer the tortures with which he was threatened; he offered him his friendship, assured him of the emperor's benevolence, and promised to make him governor of the city and priest of Apollo if he would work to undeceive the Christians and make them renounce the cult of this Jesus who had been crucified under Pilate. Theodotus, in his response, highlighted the greatness, the holiness, and the miracles of Jesus Christ; at the same time, he showed the impiety and extravagance of idolatry, especially through the detail of the infamous crimes that were attributed to the gods by the poets and historians. His speech threw the pagans into a strange fury. The priestesses of Diana and Minerva were so transported with rage that they tore their hair, ripped their clothes, and tore to pieces the crowns they wore on their heads. There were only confused cries among the populace, who demanded justice against the enemy of the gods.

Theodotus was then stretched on the rack. Each of the pagans hastened to torment him in order to signal his zeal for his supposed divinities. Several executioners, who took turns, tore his body with iron claws. Vinegar was then poured on his wounds, and burning torches were applied to them. The martyr, smelling the odor of his burnt flesh, turned his head a little. The governor, at this movement, believed that he was yielding to the violence of the tortures. "You are suffering," he said to him, "only for having lacked respect for the emperor and despised the gods." "You are mistaken," replied Theodotus, "if you attribute to cowardice the movement of the head that I made. I only complain of the lack of courage of the ministers of your orders. Make yourself obeyed, then; invent new tortures to see what strength Jesus Christ inspires in those who suffer for him. Know at last that whoever is supported by the grace of the Savior is superior to all the power of men."

The governor, who could not contain his rage, had his jaws struck and his teeth broken with stones.

"You can," the martyr said to him, "still have my tongue cut out; God hears even the silence of his servants."

The executioners were exhausted of strength, while Theodotus appeared insensible to the sufferings. The governor sent him back to prison, reserving him, however, for new tortures. The martyr, passing through the square, showed his body all torn as a mark of the power of Jesus Christ and of the strength he communicates to those who remain faithful to him, whatever their condition may be. "It is just," he said, pointing out his wounds, "to offer such sacrifices to the one who gave us the example and who deigned to immolate himself for us."

Five days later, the governor had him appear again before his tribunal. He was stretched once more on the rack, and all his wounds were reopened; he was then laid on the ground covered with pieces of tile glowing red with fire. As this horrible torture could not shake his constancy, he suffered that of the rack a third time. Finally, the governor condemned him to be beheaded; he ordered at the same time that his body be burned, for fear that the Christians might give him burial.

When Theodotus had arrived at the place of execution, he thanked Jesus Christ for having sustained him by His grace in the midst of his torments, and for having chosen him to be one of the citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem; he also prayed Him to put an end to the persecution, to have pity on His afflicted Church, and to finally restore peace to it. Having then turned toward the Christians who accompanied him, he said: "Do not weep for my death; but rather bless Our Lord Jesus Christ, who has enabled me to finish my course happily, and to win the victory over the enemy. When I am in heaven, I will address God with confidence, and I will pray to Him for you." After having spoken thus, he received with joy the blow that consummated his sacrifice. The pyre upon which his body was placed appeared surrounded by a light so brilliant that no one dared to approach it to light it. The governor, having learned of this, ordered soldiers to guard the head and the torso of the martyr in that place.

On that very day, Fronto, a priest of Malos, came to Ancyra to seek the relics that Theodotus had promised him; he also brought the ring that the Saint had left him as a pledge of his promise. He had come with a donkey laden with wine, from a vineyard he cultivated with his own hands. He did not arrive until the beginning of the night. His donkey, exhausted from fatigue, collapsed near the pyre, by an effect of Providence. The guards invited Fronto to stay with them, assuring him that he would be better off than in any other inn. They had made a hut with willow and reed branches, and had lit a fire nearby. As their supper was ready, they proposed that Fronto eat with them. He accepted the proposal and had them taste his wine, which they found excellent, and of which some drank until they were a little warmed.

In the conversation, they recounted what they had suffered regarding the abduction of the seven virgins, which they said had been done by a man of bronze; they added that they were then guarding the body of this m an. The priest homme de bronze Christian innkeeper of Ancyra, martyr under Diocletian. asked them to explain and to inform him of this adventure. One of the troop reported to him in detail what had happened to the seven virgins, and in what manner their bodies had been pulled from the pond. He then said that a man named Theodotus, a citizen of Ancyra, had suffered the most frightful torments with an insensitivity that led them to give him the title of man of bronze; that the governor had condemned him to death; that they were charged with guarding his body, and that they should expect a rigorous punishment if it were taken from them.

Fronto thanked God for this discovery and prayed to Him to assist him in the circumstance in which he found himself. After supper, he watched for the moment when the guards would be fast asleep. Having nothing more to fear from them, he took the body of the martyr, placed his ring back on his finger, and loaded him, head first, onto the back of his donkey. When it was on the road, he let it go alone, and it returned by itself to the town of Malos, where a church was later built under the invocation of Saint Theodotus. It was thus that the promise the holy martyr had made to Fronto to provide him with relics was fulfilled.

The attributes given to Saint Theodotus are the counter, which recalls his profession, and the torch and sword, which were the instruments of his death.

Taken from the Sincere Acts, published by Dom Reimard. Their author is Nilus, who, imprisoned with Theodotus, had been an eyewitnes s to Nilus Author of the Acts of Theodotus and eyewitness. everything he reports. See Tillemont, etc.