On this day, June 7 according to the Julian Calendar (June 20 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra.
Saint Theodotus of Ancyra lived in Ancyra of Galatia during the third century. He was distinguished by remarkable goodness and compassion. He showed deep sympathy for the Christians persecuted under the Emperor Diocletian (284–305), sheltering them in his own home, where divine services were also secretly celebrated. Saint Theodotus visited the prisoners who were held captive for confessing Christ, redeemed them from captivity, and reverently buried the bodies of the martyrs that had been scattered as prey for wild beasts.
On one occasion the holy man retrieved from the sea and buried the bodies of seven virgin martyrs. When this was reported to the governor, Theodotus was seized. The holy martyr refused to offer sacrifice to idols, exposed the vanity of pagan beliefs, and openly confessed Christ. For this he was cruelly tortured and slain by the sword in the year 303. The persecutors wished to burn the body of the holy martyr, but suddenly a storm arose and they were unable to kindle the fire. The martyr of Christ was then committed to the earth with Christian rites.
May the intercessions of the Holy Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra be with us all.