Saint Théodore

Saint Theodore, distinguished as Theodore of Amasea and Theodore the Recruit, is a Christian saint and Great Martyr, particularly revered in Eastern Orthodox Churches but also honored in Roman Catholicism and Oriental Orthodoxy. According to legend, he was a legionary in the Roman army who suffered martyrdom by immolation at Amasea in Galatian Pontus (modern Amasya, Turkey) during the Great Persecution under Diocletian in the early 4th century. Venerated by the late 4th century, he became a prominent warrior saint during the Middle Ages and attracted additional legends including accounts of battle against dragons. He was often confused with Theodore Stratelates of Heraclea or was the original source for some of his stories.