The Holy Martyr Theodota with her three Children.

Commemorated December 22 in the Orthodox Christian Menaion

From the Prologue

Left a young widow with three children, Theodota gave herself utterly to the service of God and the bringing-up of her children in piety. St Anastasia lived with her when she was in Macedonia, and, together with her, ministered to the Christian captives in the prisons. Taken for trial, Theodota confidently confessed Christ the Lord. She was then sent to the Governor of Bithynia, Nicetas. When a shameless pagan tried to touch her body, an angel of God suddenly appeared beside her and struck the man. Condemned to death and thrown into a glowing furnace with her three children, St Theodota finished her earthly course with honour and entered into the Kingdom of eternal glory.

From The Prologue From Ochrid by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich
©1985 Lazarica Press, Birmingham UK