Name day
Theodore: Name Day and Patron Saint
Theodore keeps the name day on 17 February, or 2 March on the Old Calendar: the feast of St Theodore the Recruit.
- Patron saint
- St Theodore the Recruit
- New Calendar
- 17 February
- Old Calendar
- 2 March
- Next name day
- 17 February 2027 (New Calendar) · 2 March 2027 (Old Calendar)
- In the feast calendar
- The feasts of February · The feasts of March
The patron saint: St Theodore the Recruit
Kept on 17 February, or 2 March on the Old Calendar · Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit
St Theodore was a young soldier, a new recruit (in Latin, a “tiro”), serving at Amasea in Pontus on the Black Sea coast of Asia Minor. When the soldiers were ordered to offer sacrifice to the idols, he openly confessed that he was a Christian. His commander gave him a few days to think it over, and Theodore spent them in prayer. Accused of setting fire to a pagan temple, he was thrown into prison to die of hunger, and the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him there and comforted him. Brought before the governor Publius, he confessed Christ again and was condemned to be burned alive. He made the Sign of the Cross, went up onto the pyre, and gave his soul to God praising Him, around the year 306, under the emperor Galerius. Some fifty years later Julian the Apostate ordered the food in the markets sprinkled with the blood of pagan sacrifices during the first week of Great Lent. St Theodore appeared in a dream to Archbishop Eudoxius and told him to warn the faithful to eat boiled wheat with honey, kolyva, instead. The Church keeps his memory on 17 February (2 March on the Old Calendar), and recalls this miracle every year on the first Saturday of Great Lent, when kolyva is offered in church. Christians ask his prayers for steadfastness in the faith and, by an old custom, for the recovery of things that were stolen.
What the faithful pray for
- courage to confess Christ openly
- a good beginning to Great Lent and a faithful fast
- protection from what would defile soul and body
- the recovery of stolen things
Other saints named Theodore
St Theodore Stratelates
Kept on 8 February, or 21 February on the Old Calendar · Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates
The general of Heraclea who broke the idols of gold and gave them to the poor, and died a martyr.
St Theodore the Studite
Kept on 11 November, or 24 November on the Old Calendar · Venerable Theodore the Studite
The abbot of the Studios monastery and confessor of the holy icons.
St Theodore
Kept on 5 March, or 18 March on the Old Calendar
Theodore in other languages
| Language | The name | Short forms |
|---|---|---|
| English | Theodore, Theodor, Teodoro, Fyodor, Feodor, Tudor, Teodor, Theodoros, Fedor | Ted, Teddy, Theo, Teo |
| Greek | Θεόδωρος, Theodoros | Θοδωρής, Θόδωρος, Τεό, Thodoris, Thodoros |
| Russian | Феодор, Фёдор, Feodor, Fyodor, Fedor, Fiodor | Федя, Федюша, Fedya, Fedia |
| Ukrainian | Федір, Теодор, Fedir | Федько, Fedko |
| Bulgarian | Теодор, Тодор, Teodor, Todor | Тошо, Tosho |
| Serbian | Теодор, Тодор, Teodor, Todor | Тоша, Toša |
| Romanian | Teodor, Tudor, Toader | |
| Georgian | თევდორე, Tevdore | Tedo |
| Arabic | تادرس, Tadros, Tadrous, Theodore |
An icon for Theodore
We don't carry an icon of St Theodore the Recruit yet. Ask for it below, and we will write to you when it is in.
Closest to it
Folding diptychSt John the Warrior & Guardian Angel
Another warrior saint$99$69
MedallionOrthodox St. George
Silver Color · 60cm Chain · Stainless Steel MedallionAnother warrior saint$70$49
Folding diptychChrist (Zvenigorod Saviour) & Vladimir Mother of God
Christ and the Mother of God keep every Christian home$99$69
For every name: the Guardian Angel, given at baptism
Have it consecrated by our priest before it reaches you: Consecration, $49.
A name-day gift for Theodore
Name-Day Gift Set $213$149
A patron saint's folding diptych chosen by first name, a stainless steel crucifix and a prayer rope, in a gift box with a card giving the saint's life and feast day.
The St Nicholas the Wonderworker & Guardian Angel Folding Diptych is chosen, for the Guardian Angel every Orthodox Christian receives at baptism, and the name is filled in.
Questions
When is Theodore’s name day?
Theodore keeps the name day on 17 February on the New Calendar and on 2 March on the Old Calendar, the feast of St Theodore the Recruit.
Who is the patron saint of Theodore?
St Theodore the Recruit. St Theodore was a young soldier, a new recruit (in Latin, a “tiro”), serving at Amasea in Pontus on the Black Sea coast of Asia Minor.
How is Theodore written in other languages?
Greek: Θεόδωρος (Theodoros), Russian: Феодор (Feodor), Ukrainian: Федір (Fedir), Bulgarian: Теодор (Teodor), Serbian: Теодор (Teodor) and Romanian: Teodor. Every form of the name keeps the same saint.
What is a good name-day gift for Theodore?
We don’t carry an icon of St Theodore the Recruit yet, and you can ask for one on this page. Every Orthodox Christian has a Guardian Angel from baptism, so the Name-Day Gift Set ($149) with the Guardian Angel diptych is always fitting.
More about name days
- Name Days Explained: What They Are, How Families Keep Them, and Gifts
A name day is the feast of the saint whose name you carry. Here is how to find yours on either calendar, how Greek and Russian families keep it, and what to give.
- Orthodox Patron Saint: How to Find Yours (by Name, Day or Choice)
Your Orthodox patron saint is the saint whose name you were given at baptism. Here is how to find yours by name, by the day of your birth or baptism, or by choice, and how to keep the name day.
- Find another name