Every year on the first Friday of the Greetings and Eve of Agioi Theodoros in the villages of Evros, is still observed today, the custom of St. Theodoron.
The night of the stay village boys they went to the houses where they were single girls and they stole various things such as carts, agricultural machinery and others.
Many of the girls’ parents stayed awake to be able to catch the “thieves” at the time of the “crime” and so the young men left the specific houses for the sake of the owner who would have already fallen asleep. Others hid somewhere in the yard to catch the thieves “on their own”.
The next day in the morning, on the day of the feast of St. Theodoron, h village square was full of loot, with fathers of boys bragging about their lads and girls often being annoyed or offended.
Of course there was no lack of teasing between perpetrators and victims.
The custom is observed to this day with small variations: for booty they no longer take carts but gates and small objects from the yards.
It is good to observe and remember the customs of our country as long as they are not exaggerated!
Who were the Saints Theodores?
The feast of Saint Theodore is a movable feast. It always falls on the first Saturday after Maundy Monday. The first Saturday of Lent, which is also Holy Saturday. There are two Saints Theodores, namely Saint Theodore of Tiros and Saint Theodore the Soldier.
Saint Theodoros of Tiron
Agios Theodoros of Tiron lived in the years of the Roman emperors Maximian and Galerius, at the beginning of the 4th century AD. He was called Tiron because he had enlisted in the corps of recruits (tiro) of the Roman legion.
He became known for his bravery when he helped the inhabitants of an area who were terrified by a giant snake. Praying, he searched for the snake and when he found it, he hurled his javelin at it, mortally wounding it.
He helped, in every way, so that the Christians of the order would not convert or be afraid of torture.
At one point he destroyed the wooden idol of the goddess Cybele, and was called to an apology for this great disrespect. He said that he did it to find out if the goddess was real. But what he found was that it was a cold thing.
The local lord immediately ordered him to be flogged and thrown into prison without food or water.
Despite the opportunities given to him to convert, Theodore was adamant. So he was sentenced to be hanged and cut with irons. The attempt, however, failed. So he was ordered to be thrown into the furnace, where he died. The date of his sleep was February 17, when his memory is celebrated.
Later, the emperor Julian carried out a great persecution against the Christians. Knowing about the fasting of the Christians and wanting to make them suffer, he ordered to withdraw from the city the food that was for fasting, obliging the Christians either not to fast, or to remain fasting. Then, according to tradition, Theodore appeared and ordered them not to buy anything but only to eat kolliva. From then until today, this miracle is celebrated on the first Saturday of Lent.
Saint Theodore the Soldier
From Euchaita in Asia Minor, Saint Theodore the Soldier lived at the beginning of the 4th century AD. From a young age he was distinguished for his outward appearance but also for his oratorical ability. He was a leading character and stood out for his ethics. He was an athlete and from a young age became a soldier. His fame quickly reached the ears of the emperor Licinius, who invited him to meet him in person.
Licinius, learning that he was a Christian, wanted to convert Theodore to his own religion. Theodore, however, politely refused and invited him to visit the Pontic Heraklion, where he was an appointed recruit. Having, therefore, received him home with a splendid ceremony, he demanded of him all the gold and silver idols which he had brought with him, in order that he himself might pay homage to them. But when he got them, he broke them into pieces and distributed them to the poor. When Licinius realized this, he took him to prison.
Despite the torture he did not repent. After seven days the emperor ordered him crucified. Nevertheless, the day after the crucifixion he was found worthy on the cross. The soldiers reported this to the emperor and he demanded his execution. They refused and were executed. Second detachment then went to execute the emperor’s will. But the people, learning of the miracle, had rushed, as a result of which the soldiers were hindered by the reactions of the people. Theodore told them that it is time to go to the Lord. So the soldiers executed him, beheading him with a sword. He fell asleep on February 8, when his memory is celebrated.
Researchers believe that Saint Theodore of Tirone is the same person as Saint Theodore the Soldier, because their lives are similar. The Church, however, honors them as two different persons.