Saint Theodoret
Martyr
(† 361)

In about the year 361, an uncle to the emperor Julian the Apostate, who bore the same name and who was an apostate like his nephew, was made Count of the East. He closed the Christian churches at Antioch, according to imperial orders.

When Saint Theodoret assembled in private the Christians of Antioch, he was summoned before the tribunal of the Count, condemned, and inhumanly tortured. His arms and feet were fastened by ropes to pulleys, and stretched until blood streamed from his sides. O most unfortunate man, he said to his judge, you know well that at the Day of Judgment the crucified God whom you blaspheme will send both you and the tyrant you serve to hell! Julian trembled at this awful prophecy, and had the Saint dispatched quickly by the sword. A short time afterwards, the judge himself was arraigned before the judgment-seat of God.

Reflection: Take care to reflect upon the four last realities — death, judgment, resurrection, and eternity in either heaven or hell. Thus you will live in holy fear, and will learn to love God better. His justice is part of His goodness and is worthy like Himself of adoration.

Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on Butler's Lives of the Saints and other sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894).