On this day, July 4 according to the Julian Calendar (July 17 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Hieromartyr Theodore, Bishop of Cyrene in North Africa, who suffered for Christ in the year 310 AD.
The Hieromartyr Theodore served as bishop during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284–305). He was highly skilled in calligraphy and wrote liturgical books for churches. His own son, Leusius, denounced him to the governor Diginianus — a deeply painful betrayal that the holy bishop bore with Christian patience and forgiveness.
Brought before the governor, Bishop Theodore was ordered to hand over the Holy Scriptures so that they could be destroyed — for the imperial edict demanded that all Christian books be surrendered. Theodore refused. He was subjected to prolonged and terrible tortures: he was stretched on the rack, his sides were burned with fire, his eyes were gouged out, and his feet were nailed to the floor with iron spikes. Throughout all these sufferings, the Lord sustained his servant with supernatural strength.
Finally, after enduring these torments with heroic fortitude, the Hieromartyr Theodore was beheaded with a sword in the year 310.
May the intercessions of the Hieromartyr Theodore, Bishop of Cyrene, be with us all.