Saint Theodore the Martyr and his companions Philippa, Dioscorus, Socrates and Dionysius

Theodore lived in the time of Emperor Antoninus, came from Perge in Pamphylia, and, out of zeal for his faith, destroyed idols and pagan temples. He was arrested and subjected to terrible torture: he was stretched on a red-hot grill, dragged bound behind wild horses, and thrown into a fire together with two soldiers who had come to believe in Christ after witnessing his miracles, Socrates and Dionysius. He was finally crucified and pierced with arrows, dying on the cross after three days of torment.

Philippa, Theodore's mother, confessed Christ herself after her son's death and was martyred by the sword. Dioscorus, a pagan priest, converted to Christianity after seeing Theodore's miracles and was martyred by fire.