Theodoretos of Antioch

Hieromartyr Theodoretos, presbyter of Antioch, who suffered under Julian.

March 3

St. Theodoretos was a presbyter of the Church of Antioch in the fourth century, entrusted with the care of the sacred vessels. When Julian the Apostate's uncle, also named Julian, plundered the great church of Antioch and demanded its treasures, Theodoretos refused to hand them over and boldly rebuked him.

He was tortured and beheaded for his confession, and tradition relates that his persecutor soon died of a terrible illness. The Church keeps his memory on March 3.

May 17

Theodoretos was a priest of Antioch who remained at his post when Julian the Apostate confiscated the treasures of the churches. Arrested and tortured for refusing to surrender the sacred vessels and to sacrifice to idols, he was beheaded in 362.

He is commemorated on May 17.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Theodoretos of Antioch is commemorated on March 3. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on March 16 of the civil calendar.

On the New Calendar, Theodoretos of Antioch is commemorated on May 17. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on May 30 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Theodoritos, Theodoretos, Theodoret

Also commemorated on March 3

• Hesychios

  Martyr, Ησύχιος

  Holy Martyr Hesychios of Antioch.

  Name days: Hesychios, Isychios

• Eutropios, Kleonikos and Basiliskos

  Martyr, Ευτρόπιος

  Holy Martyrs Eutropios, Kleonikos and Basiliskos of Amasea.

  Name days: Eftropios, Eutropios, Eutropius, Kleonikos, Cleonicus

• Zenon and Zoilos

  Venerable, Ζήνων

  Venerable Zenon and Zoilos, who reposed in peace.

  Name days: Zenon, Zeno, Zoilos

• Piamoun the Virgin

  Holy Woman, Πιαμούν

  Venerable Piamoun the Virgin of Egypt.

• Alexandra of Alexandria

  Holy Woman, Αλεξάνδρα

  Venerable Alexandra of Alexandria, who lived enclosed in a tomb.