Welcome back to St Shenouda Podcast!

In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary life of Prince Theodore El Shatebi, also known as St. Theodore of Shotep, a revered figure in Christian history. His story is a powerful testament to faith and courage during the first few centuries of Christianity, a time when martyrdom was a grim reality for those who confessed their belief in Jesus Christ. Egypt, in particular, produced more martyrs than any other country.

Born in 281 A.D. in Achaea, a port city on the Black Sea, Prince Theodore later resided in Herculea, Asia Minor. His father, John, was a Christian Egyptian from Shateb in Upper Egypt and a soldier in the Roman army. John married Oussawaia, the daughter of a pagan prince. Despite Oussawaia's attempts to draw him into idol worship and her constant belittling, John maintained his strong faith in Jesus and prayed for divine guidance. He eventually left his pagan wife and returned to Egypt after an angel appeared to him in a vision, assuring him that Theodore would become a great Christian.

Theodore grew up distressed by his father's departure due to his faith. At a young age, he boldly confronted his mother's idolatry, declaring the weakness of her idol compared to his father's God, and then broke the idol, from which a bad spirit emerged and vanished. At the age of fifteen, Prince Theodore was baptized by a priest named Oliganos, becoming filled with the Holy Spirit. His bravery and skill in battles quickly made him famous, leading Emperor Diocletian to appoint him commander over five hundred knights, bestowing upon him the title "Prince Theodore The Esphehlar" (Brave Commander).

One remarkable instance of his faith involved a fierce battle in the desert where his soldiers faced death from thirst. Theodore's earnest prayer for water resulted in a strong wind and heavy rain, leading all his soldiers to kneel before him and be baptized in Jesus' name.

Later, an angel instructed Theodore to visit his father in Egypt, leading to an emotional reunion in Shateb. Five days after their meeting, his father passed away, and Theodore buried him, expressing his own wish to be buried beside him, anticipating his future martyrdom. Upon his departure from Egypt, the Egyptians erected a pillar on the Nile's bank with his picture, symbolising their deep affection for him.

Ultimately, the emperor ordered him beheaded and his body burned. In his final prayer, Prince Theodore asked the Lord to accept his spirit and protect his body from fire, so that all might know the true God. Miraculously, the Lord Himself appeared to Theodore in a cloud, promising him the crown of martyrdom and assuring him that his body would not burn, and that miracles and wonders would be performed through his blessed body and the mentioning of his name. After his martyrdom, his mother, Oussawaia (or a Christian woman said to be his mother), carried his body to Egypt and buried it beside his father's grave in Shateb.

Today, the sources affirm that miracles continue to happen through the intercession of this great saint, underscoring his enduring legacy of faith and divine favour.

Join us next time on St Shenouda Podcast as we explore more lives of saints!