Memory of Holy New Martyr Theocharis of Neapolis (20 August)

Saint Theocharis was orphaned at a young age. In 1740 the Ottoman State was at war, and young Theocharis was taken with other Christian boys to a concentration camp to train him as a soldier. There, he was spotted by the judge of Neapolis (Nevsehir) who took a liking to the boy. The judge took Theocharis out of the camp and brought him to work on his estate.

The judge and his wife liked Theocharis so much that they decided to offer their daughter to him, upon the condition that he convert to Islam. Theocharis refused. This caused the judge great offence and so he threatened Theocharis with starvation, torture and death.

Theocharis fled to the Church of Saint George, to Archimandrite Father George, where he confessed his sins and received Divine Communion. He returned home and remained steadfast in his refusal to embrace Islam. For this the judge imprisoned him, and for some time he was without food and had little water. Theocharis passed his time in prayer.

After some time Theocharis was again given the chance to embrace Islam, but he adamantly refused to change his faith. Therefore he was tied to a horse and taken one hour away from Neapolis, where there was a white poplar.…