Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates (of Heraclea)

The Great Martyr Theodore was born in Euchaita and rose to the rank of military commander (stratelates) in the city of Heraclea Pontica (on the southern shore of the Black Sea), whence his second name, Theodore of Heraclea. He became renowned as a valiant warrior who defeated a huge serpent that had been devastating the surrounding area. Openly confessing Christianity, he obtained the city's permission to melt down gold and silver pagan idols, but, having received the metal ostensibly for new statues, secretly distributed it to the poor. For this he was seized by order of Emperor Licinius and subjected to brutal torture — crucifixion, blinding — but was miraculously healed by an angel who appeared to him on the eve of further torment. Seeing this, the saint fearlessly accepted his final execution and was beheaded in 319. His relics were translated to his family estate near Euchaita; a separate commemoration of the relics' translation is kept on June 8/21. In Greek tradition he is inseparably linked with the Great Martyr Theodore Tyro ("the Recruit") as "the two Theodores" — they are often depicted together on a single icon.

MERGE NOTE: the card "great_martyr_theodore_of_heraclea" was a DUPLICATE of this entry (matching Feb 8 feast, same death year 319) — "of Heraclea" is a toponymic qualifier of Stratelates's name, not a separate, third saint; confirmed that azbyka.ru combines them into a single article, "Theodore Stratelates, of Heraclea." The cards have been merged; the duplicate card's sole image (a May Menaion page — wrong month) was not carried over due to the clear mismatch.