Saint Theodorus of Perge

Theodore of Perge (Pamphylia) was a 2nd-century saint from Perge in Pamphylia who lived during the reign of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. The holy martyrs Theodore, his mother Philippia, Dioscorus, Socrates, and Dionysius suffered together. During a recruitment for the Roman army, Theodore refused to worship idols, for which he was tortured on a gridiron. Seeing his steadfastness and miraculous deliverance, the pagan priest Dioscorus converted to Christianity. Theodore was subsequently subjected to an unsuccessful attempt to tear him apart with horses, and was finally crucified. His feast day is May 4 (April 21). The head of Theodore of Perge is kept at the Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos.