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Saint Theodoret of Antioch was a Greek-speaking Syrian priest and keeper of the sacred vessels who refused to abandon his flock under Julian the Apostate's persecution. Arrested by Count Julian, governor of the East, he endured torture rather than betray Christ, boldly rebuked apostasy, and was beheaded at Antioch on 22 October 362. His feast is kept on 23 October; his relics were later taken to Uzès in southern France, whose cathedral is dedicated to him.
Saint Theodoret (also called Theodoritus or Theodoretus), whose name means "gift of God," was a Greek-speaking Syrian Christian priest of Antioch in the fourth century. He served as keeper of the sacred vessels of one of the city's churches and remained faithful to his pastoral charge when the Church was struck by open hostility.
After the death of Constantine's line of favor toward Christianity, Emperor Julian the Apostate raised his uncle Julian to the rank of count and governor of the East. Learning that great wealth lay in the treasury of a church in Antioch, Count Julian resolved to seize it. He issued a proclamation banning the clergy. Theodoret would not abandon his flock. He continued publicly to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and to guard the sacred vessels entrusted to him.
Count Julian ordered the priest arrested and brought before him with his hands bound behind his back. The governor accused Theodoret of having destroyed the statues of the gods in a previous reign. Theodoret answered by reproaching the Count for his apostasy from the faith. Enraged, Julian commanded that the priest be put to torture. The most atrocious torments were poured out upon this heroic priest, who bore them with courage for the sake of his faith.
Tradition records that Theodoret spoke these words to Count Julian and to the magistrate: "O most wretched man, you know well that at the day of judgment the crucified God Whom you blaspheme will send you and the tyrant whom you serve to hell." He was afterward beheaded at Antioch on 22 October 362.
His life is preserved chiefly in apologetic Christian sources. In later centuries his relics were carried to Uzès in the south of France and placed in the cathedral dedicated to him. The Roman Martyrology commemorates him on 23 October as a priest and martyr of Antioch who, as tradition hands down, was arrested by the impious Julian, emperor of the East, for persevering in the confession of Christ and at last led to martyrdom.
May Saint Theodoret obtain for us steadfast courage to confess Christ openly and to remain faithful to the flock and the sacred mysteries entrusted to us.
Fuentes: Wikidata Wikipedia Causes of Saints También listado Wikidata GCatholic
Calendario Romano General · Liturgical Calendar API
