Theodorus the Bishop

ON ST. THEODORUS THE BISHOP

MARTYR, SUFFERING AT ROME.

From the Synaxaria of the MS. Greeks.

Theodorus, Bishop, Martyr suffering at Rome (St.)

G. H.

Cardinal Baronius, in the Annotations to the day X of the Roman Martyrology letter C, on the occasion of St. Agatho the Pope, observes, citing Walafrid Strabo on Ecclesiastical Things chapter 7, that the name of Papa, that is of Father, passed into a name of dignity, so that venerable Clerics were called by the same name: The name of Papa formerly attributed to Bishops, afterwards however that name began to be peculiar to Bishops, so that the same were called Papae. That there are of these innumerable examples in Cyprian, Jerome, Augustine, Rufinus, Prudentius, Sulpicius Severus, Sidonius Apollinaris, Venantius Fortunatus, & most recently in St. Eulogius of Cordova, who flourished in the year DCCCL. For until that time that name was common to all Bishops, although more frequently & more peculiarly it was wont to be attributed to the Roman Pontiffs. These things Baronius: which being set we proceed to the cult of St. Theodorus, suffering at Rome, & called Papa. That very many Bishops of various Churches were crowned with martyrdom at Rome, often in this work we have shown: & such in the month of April we gave SS. Victor, St. Theodorus, Bishop elsewhere, suffering at Rome. Quirinus, Eleutherius, & this one indeed Bishop of Ecana or Troia. The MS. Synaxarium which we said we had found at Dijon, thus has of him: Ὁ ἅγιος Θεόδωρος Πάπας Ῥώμης, ξεόμενος τελειοῦται. St. Theodorus, Papas at Rome, lacerated with claws ends his life. And these verses are added.

Ἀνθρωποτρῶκται, δημίους λέγω λύκους, Θεοδώρου τρώγουσι τας σάρκας ξέσει.

The members of Theodorus a crowd of executioners gnaws, Devourers of men, by right whom I shall call, wolves.

Of the same St. Theodorus the Papa at Rome the contest is reported on this day in the double Turin Menaea of the Duke of Savoy, & on the day XVII May in the old MS. Menaea of Milan of the Ambrosian library. But in what place this Saint was Bishop, is hidden from us. If some light is brought by others, we will gladly receive it.