Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Psalm 33:1
Theodore of Amasea (c.306)
Proclaimed and Praised
Theodore is believed to have been born in the East, possibly Syria or Armenia. According to tradition, he enlisted in the Roman army and was sent to Pontus (in modern-day Turkey). After an edict was issued against Christians, Theodore was brought before the court at Amasea and asked to sacrifice to the gods. He denounced them and boldly proclaimed Jesus Christ as Lord. Gregory of Nyssa records that Theodore said:
I do not know the gods because they are false, whereas you err by honouring and addressing them… But as for me, Christ is God, the Only Begotten Son of God. Therefore on behalf of the true religion and by confessing him, let him who inflicts wounds go ahead and cut; let him who strikes thrash; let him who burns lead to the flame, and let him who is grieved by my words cut out my tongue.
The judges mocked Theodore but released him to give him time to reconsider his position. During this time, the temple of the goddess Cybele was torched, and it was reported to the magistrates that Theodore was responsible. He was brought back before the court and again refused to recant his faith in Christ. While being tortured, Theodore sang praises to God from Psalm 33. After much suffering he was finally killed by being burned at the stake.
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
‘Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.
Bold shall I stand in Thy great day;
For who aught to my charge shall lay?
Fully absolved through these I am –
From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.
Count Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf (1700–1760)