A word of praise to the Great Martyr Theodore (Tiron)

“A word of praise to the Great Martyr Theodore (Tiron)” was delivered by St. Gregory of Nyssa on February 7, 381 in Euchait, where the dedicated martyr was located. Theodore Church. St. Gregory prayerfully addresses the martyr. Theodore, asking him for intercession against barbarian invasions of the empire. *The title of the work in Greek is ᾿Εϒκώμιον εἰς τὸν μέϒαν μάρτυρα Θεόδωρον. *The title of the work in Latin is De sancto Theodoro. You, the people of Christ, the holy flock, the royal priesthood, flocking from everywhere from cities and villages - who gave you a conventional sign on the way that you were going to this sacred place? Who forced you so carefully and at a certain time to come here, and moreover during winter, when the war subsides and the warrior puts aside his armor and the swimmer puts his helm under the smoke and the farmer rests, having placed his working oxen at the manger? Isn’t it clear that the holy martyr sounded the trumpet from the military formation and, having stirred up a multitude of people from various localities, called them to the place of his own resting place and his monastery, gathering them not for preparation for military affairs, but for the sweet and most decent peace for Christians? For, as we believe, last year he calmed the storm of the barbarian invasion and prevented a terrible war with the wild Scythians, waving before them, who were already in sight and close, a weapon that was disastrous and terrible for them - not a shaggy helmet, not a sword, well-crafted and sparkling in the sun, but the deliverer from troubles and the all-powerful cross of Christ, for which he himself suffered and acquired this glory. Now you, servants of this pure piety and honorers of the martyrs, consider with an attentive mind what he justly deserves and what rewards he is worthy of (I’m talking about rewards in the world and among us, for no one can form an idea of ​​the greatness of those (rewards) that are invisible), and as if knowing the fruit of piety, be jealous of the disposition of those who are so preferred over others; desire also those honors that Christ distributes to ascetics according to the dignity of each. And we, if you like, leaving the conversation about the enjoyment of future blessings, the good hope of which is postponed by the righteous until the Judge of our life comes, let us consider the present state of the saints, how beautiful and majestic it is. For their soul, having departed from the mountain, remains in its proper place and, having detached itself from the body, dwells together with those like it; and the body, its honest and innocent organ, which did not in any way damage the incorruptibility of the soul that lived in it with its passions, is buried with great honor and reverence, honestly placed in a sacred place, as if some valuable treasure was preserved until the time of rebirth, in many ways incomparable with any other darkness, destroyed by a common and common death - and, moreover, in a substance of the same nature. For most people abhor all other remains; no one is happy to pass by a coffin, and when he accidentally sees an open coffin, then, looking at the ugliness of what lies there, full of an unpleasant feeling and with a heavy sigh about the fate of humanity, he quickly runs away. But whoever goes to any place like this, where we have gathered today, where the memory of the righteous is celebrated and where his holy remains are, will, first of all, console his soul with the splendor of what appears to his eyes, seeing this house, like the church of God, lightly decorated with the grandeur of the building and the splendor of the decorations, where the carver gave the wood the appearance of various animals, and the stone cutter brought the stone slabs to the smoothness of silver. And the painter decorated with artificial flowers, depicting on the icon the valiant deeds of the martyr, his firm stand at trial, torment, the bestial faces of the tormentors, their violent actions, a burning furnace, the most blessed death of the ascetic, the outline of the human image of the hero of Christ; Having skillfully painted all this for us, as if in some explanatory book, he clearly told the exploits of the martyr and brightly decorated the church, like a flowering meadow (for painting can silently speak on the walls and deliver the greatest benefit). And the builder of multi-colored stones made the trampled floor worthy of the event being described. Having consoled the gaze with these sensual works of art, (the church visitor) finally wants to get closer to the shrine, considering the very touch of it to be sanctification and blessing. If someone is allowed to take the earth lying on the surface of his resting place, he accepts the ashes as a gift and collects the earth as a treasure. If someone is lucky enough to have the opportunity to touch the very remains, then how coveted this is and what a sublime prayer is considered a gift, those who have experienced this and who themselves were animated by this desire know. They kiss the one who looks at them, like the body that is most alive and blooming with life, bringing them closer to the eyes, lips, ears, to all the senses; then, shedding tears of reverence and heartfelt tenderness, they offer a prayer for intercession, as if to the martyr himself in integrity, begging him as God’s armor-bearer, calling on him as one who receives gifts (prayers) whenever he pleases. From all this, O pious people, know that “the death of His saints is honorable before the Lord” (Ps. 115:6). For all people have the same body, being composed of the same substance; but one dies a simple death, is cast down as it happens; the other, blessed by the suffering of martyrdom, is so worthy and desired by everyone, as we said above. Therefore, on the basis of what is visible, let us believe the invisible, on the basis of what we know by experience in the world - what is promised in the future. For many, valuing the belly, vanity and the rubbish here above all else, value the future as nothing, thinking that everything is limited to the limits of this life. But he who thinks this way, learn great things from small things, and understand the prototype from the shadow. Which king is honored with such honor? Which of the people, having received predominant fame, is glorified by such a memory? Which of the military leaders who took fortified cities, enslaved many peoples, became as famous as this wretched warrior, a recruit who was armed by Paul, who was prepared for the feat by angels, who after the victory was crowned by Christ? But now, since my word has approached the exploits of the martyr, it is better, leaving aside general praise, to talk mainly about this saint; for to each his own is kind. So, the fatherland of this valiant man is a country lying to the east of the sun, for he, like Job, was “the noblest of those who are from the east of the sun” (Job 1:3) and having a common fatherland with him, he was an imitator of his morals. Now this martyr is the common property of the entire universe, being a citizen of the entire sunflower. Having been included in the military lists there, he and his regiment come to our country, since the commanders appointed a winter rest here for the warriors. When war suddenly broke out, not as a result of the invasion of the barbarians, but at the command of Satan and the God-fighting decree (for by the wicked decree, every Christian was subjected to persecution and condemned to death), then this blessed one, being known for his piety and openly manifesting his faith in Christ everywhere, having almost inscribed the confession of this faith on his forehead, turned out to be no longer a recruit in courage and not inexperienced in the matter. warriors and battles, but with a valiant soul, standing firm in the face of dangers, not cowardly, not fearful, not timid in speech. For when the meeting of this evil court opened, the ruler and military commander, having gathered for this, as Herod and Pilate once did (Acts 4:27), also bring before the court the servant of the Crucified, as they did his Master. “Tell me,” they say to him, where did you get your audacity and courage, that you insult the royal law, do not obey with trepidation the orders of the Sovereign, do not bow down as your rulers please? (For then the kingdom was ruled by Maximian’s co-rulers.) And he, with a courageous face and undaunted spirit, gave such a direct answer to their words: “I don’t know the gods, and they don’t exist in truth; But you are mistaken in honoring and calling flattering demons by the name of God. For me, God is Christ, the only begotten Son of God. And so, for piety and confession of Him, let the one who inflicts wounds cut me, and the one who scourges, let him scourge, and the one who burns, let him bring the fire closer, and whoever is intolerable to these words of mine, let him tear out the tongue; For in every member the body owes patience to Him who created it.” The tormentors were amazed by these words and could not withstand the first attack of the valiant warrior, seeing the young man striving for suffering and thirsting for death, like some pleasant drink. When several stopped in bewilderment and began to consult what to do, one of the official soldiers, considering himself witty and laughing together at the martyr’s answer, said: “So, Theodore, your God has a Son? And he gives birth, passionately, like a man?” “My God did not give birth in a passionate way,” the martyr answers, “but I also confess the Son, and I speak about a birth befitting God; and you, meaningless and pathetic, do not blush and do not cover your face in shame, recognizing a female god, and worshiping, as the mother of twelve children, some prolific demonic creature, which, like hares and pigs, easily conceives and gives birth.” When in this way the saint repelled the double mockery of the idolater, the tormentors, assuming the appearance of love for mankind, said: “Let you give this madman a little time to think; Maybe, having come to your senses in freedom, things will change for the better.” These madmen called sanity madness, and piety frenzy and damage to the mind, just as drunk people claim their own passion for sober people. But the godly man and warrior of Christ took advantage of the time given to him for courageous work. For what? About this time you will be happy to listen to the story. In the main regional city of Amasia there was a church to the fabulous mother of the gods, which the erring people of that time, in their superstition, built somewhere on the bank of the river. The valiant man, during the time of freedom granted to him, seizing an opportune hour and a favorable wind, set it on fire and set it on fire, in fact giving the villains the answer that they, of course, expected after reflection. When his deed soon became obvious to everyone (for a bright fire blazed in the middle of the city), he did not hide his act and did not try to hide it, but clearly gave himself away, very triumphant at the success of the deed and rejoicing at the confusion of the atheists and the embarrassment with which they mourned the destruction of the church and the idol. And so they report him to the bosses as the culprit of the arson; again the trial was more terrible than before, which should have been the case when a case of such importance irritated the judges. They ascend to the judgment seat, and the benevolent Theodore stands in the middle, boldly answering the questions of the judge judging him and stopping the interrogation itself with the speed of confession. Since he was undaunted and did not yield to threats of severe torment, the judges completely changed their attitude towards him, and, speaking philanthropically, tried to entice the righteous man with promises. “Know,” they said, “that if you want to humbly accept our advice, then we will immediately make you from an ignorant person into a noble one, from an inglorious person into a respectable one; We promise you the dignity of the chief priest." When the blessed one heard about the dignity of the chief priest, he laughed a lot and said: “I also consider the priests of idols pathetic and regret them, as serving a vain business; and I regret the leaders of the priests even more and abhor them; for the eldest over the bad and occupying first place is even more pitiful, just as among the unrighteous the more unrighteous, among the murderers the more ferocious, among the dissolute the more depraved; Therefore, leave now your disastrous promises, for you have forgotten that your promises are the height of evil for me; for those who have chosen a pious and upright life, it is good to “seek out into the house of God... rather than live... in the villages of sinners” (Ps. 83:11). I also regret these kings, whose lawless law you constantly read to us, because, having a fairly great dignity among people - royal power, they also appropriated to themselves the title of high priest; they put on this deplorable and dark purple, imitating the high priests of evil demons, and humiliate their bright dignity with dark clothes; and it also happens that when approaching a bad altar, instead of kings they become cooks, slaughtering birds and examining the insides of unfortunate animals and, like some butchers, staining clothes with the impurities of blood.” After these speeches of the righteous man, the leaders no longer began to show false and feigned love for mankind; but declaring him most wicked in relation to the gods and, moreover, an insulter and blasphemer of kings, firstly, they hung him on a tree arranged for torture, and tormented his body. And he, at a time when the executioners were strongly doing their job, remained firm and unshakable, chanting in the midst of torment a verse of psalmody: “I will bless the Lord at all times, I will make his praise in my mouth” (Ps. 33:2). They tormented his flesh, and he sang as if it was not he, but someone else who was suffering execution. This punishment is replaced by prison; and here again a miracle happened over the saint: at night the voices of many singing were heard, and those outside (the prison) saw the shine of luminous lamps, as if at an all-night vigil, so that the prison guard, confused by the extraordinary nature of what he saw and heard, ran into the prison, but found no one in it except the resting martyr and other sleeping prisoners. When, after many sufferings, (the martyr) appeared as a man fully matured in confession and piety, a judgment was pronounced on him and the command was issued to put him on fire; so he departed to God in a beautiful and blessed way, and left us with an edifying memory of his feat, gathering nations, instructing the church, driving away demons, bringing down peaceful angels, asking God for what was useful to us, making this place a doctor’s office for various diseases, a haven for those overwhelmed by sorrows, an abundant treasury for the poor, a convenient host for travelers, a permanent place of celebration for those celebrating. For, although we honor this day with annual celebrations, the zeal of the many striving here never ceases, but the road leading here is like a path strewn with ants; some go forward, others give way to newcomers. We, O blessed one, having completed the annual circle through the love of the Creator, gathered a sacred meeting of martyr-lovers to celebrate you, worshiping the common Lord and performing the victorious remembrance of your exploits. But you, the leader of the holiday (for we call upon you who called us), come closer to us, wherever you are, whether you live in the ethereal heights or go around some vault of heaven, whether you stand before the Lord together with the faces of the angels, or, like a faithful servant, you worship Him together with the Powers and Powers - leaving for a short time what is above, come, like an invisible friend, to those who honor you; look at what is happening here in order to double your gratitude to God, who gave you such rewards for one suffering and for one pious confession, and rejoice for the blood (you shed) and the fiery torment; for as many as you had then as spectators of your execution, so many now do you have servants of your honor. We have need of many good deeds; pray for the fatherland before the common King of all; for the fatherland of the martyr is the country where he suffered, and his fellow citizens and relatives are those who buried him, who have his body, who honor him. We provide for sorrow; we expect dangers; not far away are the terrible Scythians, who were plotting war against us; like a warrior, fight for us, like a martyr, show (prayerful) boldness (towards God) for those who serve Him with you. Although you have passed away from this life, you know the sufferings and needs of mankind; Ask for peace for us, so that these celebrations do not stop, so that a frantic and unbridled barbarian does not rejoice over the churches and altars, so that the desecrator does not trample the holy place. For we consider the fact that we have survived unharmed to this day to be your blessing; We ask you for safety in the future too. And if there were a need for greater prayerful intercession, gather the face of your brother martyrs and pray with all of them: may the prayers of many righteous people resolve the sins of peoples and tribes. Remind Peter of us, stir up Paul, as well as John the Theologian and the beloved disciple, so that they will take care of the churches that they built, for which they bore bonds, for which they were exposed to dangers and death, so that idolatry does not again raise its head over us, so that heresies, like thorns, do not grow in the vineyard, so that the newly revived tares do not choke out the wheat, so that there is no stony soil (Matthew 13:20), devoid of fatness, true dew and preventing the power of the word from taking root to bear good fruits; but by the power of your prayer and those who are with you, O wondrous and bright one among the martyrs, may Christian citizenship until the end of time become a place of harvest in the fat and fruitful pasture of faith in Christ, always bearing fruit with eternal life, life in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom to the Father, together with the Holy Spirit, be glory, power, honor, now and ever and to the ages. centuries. Amen You might be interested in: