Theodotus of Ancyra

Holy Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra and the Seven Virgins.

May 18

The Holy Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra suffered under the persecution of Diocletian at the beginning of the fourth century. An innkeeper by trade, he secretly aided the persecuted Christians of the city; when seven holy virgins of Ancyra were put to death for their faith, tradition tells that Theodotus recovered their bodies and gave them burial, though it was forbidden on pain of death. For this he was seized, tortured, and beheaded.

He is commemorated together with the Seven Virgins of Ancyra on May 18, a witness that mercy toward the martyrs is itself a crown.

June 7

The Holy Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra suffered under the persecution of Diocletian at the beginning of the fourth century. An innkeeper by trade, he used his house and his means to shelter persecuted Christians, to care for prisoners, and to give burial to the bodies of the martyrs when it was forbidden. For this holy boldness he was himself seized, tortured, and beheaded.

The Church remembers in him a layman whose ordinary trade became a ministry of mercy, and whose mercy became martyrdom. He is commemorated on June 7.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Theodotus of Ancyra is commemorated on May 18. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on May 31 of the civil calendar.

On the New Calendar, Theodotus of Ancyra is commemorated on June 7. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on June 20 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

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

Theodotos, Theodotus

Also commemorated on May 18

• Martyrs of Lampsacus: Peter, Dionysios, Andrew, Paul and Christina

  Martyr, Πέτρος, Διονύσιος, Ανδρέας, Παύλος και Χριστίνα

  Holy Martyrs Peter, Dionysios, Andrew, Paul and Christina, who suffered at Lampsacus under Decius.

• Seven Virgin Martyrs of Ancyra

  Holy Woman, Τεκούσα, Αλεξανδρία, Κλαυδία, Φαεινή, Ευφρασία, Ματρώνα και Ιουλία

  The Seven Virgin Martyrs of Ancyra, drowned in a lake for their faith and honored with Saint Theodotos.

  Name days: Tekousa, Faini, Phaine, Julia, Ioulia, Iulia, Julie, Giulia

• Stephen of Constantinople

  Hierarch, Στέφανος Κωνσταντινουπόλεως

  Saint Stephen, Patriarch of Constantinople, brother of the Emperor Leo the Wise.

• Theodore, Pope of Rome

  Hierarch, Θεόδωρος Πάπας Ρώμης

  Saint Theodore, Pope of Rome, defender of Orthodoxy against Monothelitism.

• Potamon of Heraclea

  Hierarch, Ποταμών Ηρακλείας

  Hieromartyr Potamon, Bishop of Heraclea in Egypt, confessor and father of Nicaea.

  Name days: Potamon

• David and Tarichan of Georgia

  Martyr, Δαβίδ και Ταριχάνης

  Holy Child Martyrs David and Tarichan of Georgia, killed by their apostate uncle.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.