Holy Martyr Theodota and Her Three Children — July 29 / August 11 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, July 29 according to the Julian Calendar (August 11 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Holy Martyr Theodota and her three children (†c. 304).

Saint Theodota the Martyr, a wealthy widow from the city of Nicaea, lived with her three young children on her own estate in Macedonia. She spent her riches generously, helping the poor and burying the dead who had no one to care for them. The saint was bound by spiritual friendship to Saint Anastasia (commemorated December 22). When the persecution of Christians began, both holy women were arrested.

At the trial, the eminent courtier Leucadius was captivated by Theodota’s beauty and resolved to take her into his home and make her his wife. In the house of Leucadius, Theodota passed her days in holiness together with her children; the pagan courtier could not bend her will by persuasion, by flattery, or by threats. At last, infuriated by the saint’s steadfastness, he sent her with her children to Bithynia, to Nicetius, the governor of the region.

When the judge tried to frighten the blessed mother with threats of torture, her eldest son Evodus declared: “Christians do not fear torments—they fear only the loss of the grace of God!” The child was savagely beaten before his mother’s eyes; drained of his blood, he received the martyr’s crown and entered into blessed eternity.

After this the blessed mother was handed over to depraved men to be defiled, but the power of heaven protected her. Before the eyes of all a miracle was wrought: an angel of the Lord stood against the lawless men who dared to approach the lamb of Christ. The judge ascribed what had happened to sorcery, and condemned the saint to be burned in the fire together with her children.

The memory of the holy martyrs—Theodota, the child Evodus, and her two other young sons—is also celebrated on December 22, together with Saint Anastasia.