Today November 9

While today is the feast of the dedication of the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior, commonly called St. John Lateran, head of all the churches in the City and in the World -- wow, what a title! -- we are going to go with the feast of St. Theodore, who died in 306 AD. As the daughter of a soldier, I favor the veteran saints, such as the three "warrior saints" of the East: St. George (the dragonslayer), St. Demetrius, and today's saint. He could be called the recruit's patron, since his surname was Tiro, meaning recruit. (It also has a connotation of amateur or philistine -- one who is new at, and presumably weak at, some endeavor.) He also was one of the early conscientious objectors, or CO's, because though bound by military duty while in winter quarters at Pontus in Asia Minor to offer sacrifice to the gods and the emperor, he refused to serve, citing his conscience. "I know not your gods," he said. He was apprehended, but later released on his own recognizance.

And I suppose St. Theodore could also be called a patron of political activists. He didn't burn a draft card or the selective service office, but he DID go out and burn down a pagan temple, as his protest against forcing people to engage in what he saw as flagrant idolatry. I guess he engaged in this activity to prove he was serious and bring attention to the problem and let the chips fall where they may. They fell on him, of course; first he was cajoled with promises, then threatened with bodily harm, but he could not be moved. He was scourged and thrown in prison, but he kept his spirits up. Finally, dragged before the judge once more and intractable in his resistance, he was sentenced to death. He was burned to death in a fiery furnace. His ashes were collected by a platonic female friend, Eusebia; she buried them at Euchaita, where the church was renamed St. Theodore in his honor. I think St. Theodore could be a real "saint of the sixties." St. Theodore, pray for us.