Saint Theophilos the Neomartyr from Zakynthos
Date of celebration: 24/07
Saint Theophilos was born in Zakynthos in 1617 AD. and he was handsome and handsome in body.
Working as a sailor he did not want to serve on a Turkish ship. Against the will of the Turkish master, he was slandered by him, that he had allegedly worn a Turkish cover on his head. He was forcibly led to the judge, where by flattery and intimidation they tried to convert him to Islam. Courageously confessing Christ, Theophilos was forcibly circumcised by the Turks, who wanted to send him as a gift to the Sultan’s palace.
But Theophilus, while still in Chios, escaped and went to Samos, where he remained for a considerable time. When he returned to Chios, the Turks recognized him and after arresting him they took him to the judge. The judge, seeing Theophilos persisting in his faith, sentenced him to death by fire. Undaunted, this brave witness of our faith made the sign of the cross and said “into your hands, Christ, I surrender my soul”. And he entered the fire alone, where he surrendered his holy soul to God the champion on July 24, 1635 AD.
His remains from the fire were bought by Christians and deposited with honor in the temple of the Great Martyr George in Chios.
Martyrdom of this Saint was first written by George Koresios of Chios.
