04 Works, Today, May 18th is Saint Theodotus's day, his Story in Paintings #138

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St. Theodotus of Ankara, who died in 303 AD

Saint Theodotus of Ancyra was a fourth-century (fl. 303 AD) Christian martyr.

Theodotus was a married man who kept an inn at Ankara, the capital of the Roman province of Galatia. He is described as a man very zealous in the performance of his Christian duties, endowed with many virtues, especially charity towards his neighbour, bringing sinners to repentance and strengthening many in their faith during the persecution which the Roman governor Theoctenus was carrying on in the province, about 303, in accordance with the imperial edict of Diocletian.

Theoctenus ordered that all provisions exposed for sale should first be offered to the idols. Theodotus laid in stores of goods, and his house became a refuge for the Christians, a hospital for the sick, and a place for Christian worship.

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A mosaic in Ravenna showing a procession of early virgin martyrs

At Malos, about five miles from Ankara, he sought out the body of the martyr, Valens, and gave it a Christian burial. Returning to Ankara, he found the Christians in great trouble. 

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Holy Martyrs Alexandria, Claudia, Euphrasia, Matrona, Juliana, Theodora and Euphemia

The seven virgins mentioned above had been called before the judges and made a valiant profession of their faith; they were then sent to a house of debauchery, but preserved their purity. Then they were obliged to suffer cruel torments, and were cast into the sea with stones attached to their bodies.


According to legend,  one of them, St Tecusa, appeared to St Theodotus and asked him to retrieve the bodies of her and her sisters in Christ. Theodotus succeeded in retrieving the bodies and honourably burying them. 

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Martyr Theodotus of Ankara and seven virgin-martyrs with him

But a friend whom he had asked to help him in this work betrayed him. In consequence, he was arrested, and, after many sufferings, was killed by the sword.  As he went to the block, he said to the many Christians who had gathered to weep for him: 'Do not weep for me, brethren, but glorify our Lord Jesus Christ, by whose aid I am finishing my course and overcoming the enemy. His body was miraculously brought to Malos and there entombed by the priest, Fronto. A chapel was built over the grave, and the saint was held in great veneration. More on Saint Theodotus

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