Theophilus the New Martyr of Zakynthos

This morning in Tangerang, Indonesia, our brother in Christ, Yudi Kristanto, was joined by holy baptism and chrismation to Christ's one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. At the same time, a Russian convict held in a prison there was also baptised. In a strange twist of fate and meaning, a man in chains became free, and a free man voluntarily became a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, both washed clean of sin in the same water of baptism. Yudhie took the name Theophilus, which was given to him by his dear mother Indiyati before she reposed about seven years ago.

There are many saints with the name Theophilus (Θεοφιλος, Theóphilos in Greek) starting with the brother to whom evangelist Luke addressed his gospel and the book of Acts. The ikon we found was of a later Theophilus, a new martyr in fact, and so this saint is one of Theophilus Yudhie's name day saints. To mark this day, I want to post the story of new-martyr Theóphilos of Zákynthos along with two ikons of him.

Theophilus was born in Zakynthos in 1617. He was a seaman by profession. While on a voyage he had a dispute with the ship's captain, who acted in a very disrespectful manner. When the ship arrived at Chios, its destination and the home island of the captain, Theophilus left his service. At that point, a certain Turk whom he met there offered to take him aboard his own ship. Because the man was a Muslim, however, Theophilus did not want to work for him or have anything more to do with him. The Turk was persistent, and he would not take "No" for an answer. When Theophilus resisted, the Turk had no other recourse but to slander. He began to accuse him of wearing a Turkish fez, a type of headgear that was prohibited to Christians. Then with others the Turk beat him and dragged him before the Turkish authorities. In front of the judge, they presented their false testimony, that he had been wearing a fez, and so demanded that he must become a Muslim.

Hearing these accusations, Theophilus could not be shaken from his faith in Christ. The usual procedure was followed by the authorities—first, tempt him with flattery and promises of reward, and then if that didn't work, threaten him with harsh punishments and death.

In spite of their failure to convert him, Theophilus was forcibly circumcised (the sign of Islamic membership), and then it was decided to send him on to Istanbul as a "gift" for the sultan, because he was very good looking and only 18 years old. Their plan miscarried, though, for Theophilus was left unguarded during one of the Muslim prayer times, and he escaped.

He hid himself for three days and nights while they searched for him, but he hadn't any food, and he was very hungry. He went to the home of the captain that he had parted from, who gave him food. Then he hid out in a church till he could escape the island and caught a boat going to Samos, where he stayed for awhile. Not being able to stay there, he returned to Chios and to his former captain, but very quickly he was recognized by those Turks who had accused him. They had him arrested and again brought before the Turkish judge.

After numerous hearings at court, and numerous beatings and tortures, because Theophilus would not convert to Islam (which his accusers now claimed he had been a member of, and had abandoned—remember, they had circumcised him), the judge sentenced him to death by being burned alive.

The Turks brought Theophilus to a place in front of the church of Saint George the Great Martyr and started a huge fire. In their cruelty, they forced him to carry the wood to fuel it and to load it to such a height that he could be placed inside the heap. They say the fire was so high and blazed so bright that you could see your way to Chios town at evening by its light.

Entering the flames of his own will, Theophilus began to chant in the midst of them,
"O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou…" Then, making the sign of the cross, he prayed, and cried out "into Thy hands, my Christ, I commend my soul!" and he surrendered his soul into the hands of God, receiving the crown of martyrdom on the 24th day of July, 1635.

Now, God who glorifies those who glorify Him, honored the martyr not only in heaven but on earth as well. For at the destruction of his flesh, a strong and wonderful fragrance emanated from the fire to the comfort of the Christians and the discomfort of the Muslims watching his end. Therefore, to mask the fragrance and to dishonor the martyr whose life they had just taken, the Turks threw a swine into the fire so the air might reek of burning flesh rather than of the fragrant relics of the confessor of Christ. But in vain did they connive. As soon as the flames touched the bound feet of the pig, it escaped and ran. The fire continued burning its sweet incense to the risen Christ, and Theophilus joined the innumerable host that holy apostle John the Revelator saw.

After that I saw a huge number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language; they were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands. They shouted aloud, "Victory to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
Revelation 7:9-10 Jerusalem Bible

One of the elders then spoke, and asked me, "Do you know who these people are, dressed in white robes, and where they have come from?" I answered him, "You can tell me, my lord." Then he said, "These are the people who have been through the great persecution, and because they have washed their robes white again in the Blood of the Lamb, they now stand in front of God's throne and serve Him day and night in His sanctuary; and the One who sits on the throne will spread His tent over them…"
Revelation 7:13-15 Jerusalem Bible