Theodotus

ON SAINT THEODOTUS

BISHOP OF CYRINIA IN CYPRUS.

UNDER CONSTANTINE

Theodotus, Bishop, of Cyrinia, in Cyprus (S.)

G. H.

Among the cities of Cyprus on the Northern shore is Cyrinia, commonly Cerines, by the ancients Cerannium, situated on a high rock, where S. Theodotus the Bishop is reported in the Menaea to have suffered many things, with this eulogy: On the same day VI of May the contest of the most sacred Martyr Theodotus the Bishop of Cyrinia in Cyprus. Eulogy from the Menaea May 6, He lived under the Emperor Licinius and Sabinus the Governor, to whom brought he is beaten with ox-sinews, then suspended is lacerated through his whole body, then is stretched on an iron bed glowing with fire. Afterwards cast into prison, when the persecution ceased, by the decree of Constantine the Great he is freed from custody: and after he had survived two years more, he migrated to the Lord to the glory and praise of God, who made him glorious. These things in the said Menaea, which from there Sirletus transferred to his Menology. With this cited he is inscribed in the Roman Martyrology with these words: In Cyprus of S. Theodotus the Bishop of Cyrinia, who under the Emperor Licinius having suffered most grievous things, finally rendered his spirit to God in the peace of the Church. So the Roman Martyrology.

His Festival appears to have been more celebrated in the month of January; either on day XVII, on which it is referred in the said Menaea; or XIX, on which his encomium is in MS. Synaxarium of Clermont of the Society of Jesus at Paris: likewise the MS. Menaea of Milan of the Ambrosian library and the Paris of Cardinal Mazarin. and Jan 17 and 19 from MS. Synaxarium. That from the said Synaxarium we repeat, which is thus turned into Latin: On the same day XIX of January the contest of the holy Martyr Theodotus, Bishop of the city of Cyrinia in Cyprus. He was under the Emperor Licinius and Sabinus the Governor of the island of Cyprus. But for the confession of the Christian faith brought to Sabinus the Governor, he is beaten with ox-hide whips, then suspended and his flesh lacerated. Then is stretched on a fiery iron bed, from which by the grace of Christ he is wonderfully freed. Afterwards with nails driven through his feet he was forced to run. Cast finally into prison he remained, until at the end of the persecution, by decree of Constantine the Great he was loosed from chains, and the second year afterward departed from life. The festival is celebrated in the oratory of the most holy and immaculate Mother of God Our Lady, in the place which is called Harmatius. So there. The place called Harmatius, was the house of Harmatius the Master, who was a Domestic of Zeno, and betrayed the army of Basiliscus to him. Wherefore by the order of Zeno himself he was killed, when by a vault he was ascending to the tribunal of the Hippodrome. So Georgius Codinus on the Origins of Constantinople page 47 of the Louvre edition.