Righteous Theodotus of Ancyra, the Innkeeper

Saint Theodotus of Ancyra lived in the late third and early fourth century in the city of Ancyra in Galatia, where he kept an inn that he used to secretly aid persecuted Christians — sheltering them, feeding them, and supplying what was needed for underground worship. During Diocletian's fierce persecution he sought out and gave honorable burial to the bodies of martyred Christians. He became especially renowned when seven virgins of Ancyra — Alexandra, Tecusa (his own aunt), Claudia, Phaine, Euphrasia, Matrona, and Julia — were drowned in a lake with stones tied to their necks for refusing to sacrifice to idols. At the risk of his own life, Theodotus recovered their bodies and buried them as Christians. When this became known, he was seized, brutally tortured, and beheaded. According to tradition, a sudden storm prevented the pagans from burning his remains, allowing the priest Fronto to bury the martyr with honor. The Church commemorates Theodotus together with the seven virgin-martyrs on May 18/31.