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Even people who are very erudite and sophisticated in questions of theology and religious interpretations of laws and dogmas are lost when answering the question “Who is Saint Bogdan?”… He is often associated with Saint Theodotus of Adrianople, with Saint Theodotus of Ankyra or Saint Theodotus Korchemnik, with Saint Theodore Tyron, with Saint Theodore Stratelates…
Obviously, this can be partially explained by old Russian fun (since the XIV-XVI centuries) – to use a direct name, that is, an additional one – when a baby was named in honor of the saint whose memory was celebrated on his birthday (plus / minus a few days ) and the main name that was traditional for his family. The phenomenon of two names was well studied in the Rurik family. Though, there is evidence of the existence of such a practice outside the princely families, including even the simplest people.
The non-public direct name seemed to come “by itself”, did not depend on the will of the baby’s parents and was determined by Divine Providence, and the main name, on the contrary, was chosen deliberately, and corresponded not only to the calendar, but also to dynastic interests. For example, Saint Theodotus of Ankyra was the Patron Saint of Boris Godunov, and therefore during his tonsuring he was named Bogolep (i. e. exact translation from the Greek Theoprepius – “befitting God”), which is theophorically very relevant…
The confusion in associations was also supported by the fact that all the mentioned Saints lived on the territory of modern Turkey and at about the same time…
For example, Saint Theodotus of Ankyra or Saint Theodotus the Korchemnik is a holy martyr who suffered during the persecution of Christians under the ancient Roman emperor Diocletian, who lived around the beginning of the 4th century in the city of Ankyra in the Galatia region (modern Anatolia in Turkey), owned a tavern and a hotel, which he used as Noah’s ark to save everyone from the waters of the Flood…
That is, during the times of persecution of Christians, the hotel and tavern of Saint Theodotus served as a refuge for persecuted Christians, a hospital for the sick and a place of Christian worship. The Saint himself visited and consoled the martyrs in dungeons, and secretly buried the bodies of the sufferers.
Therefore, he, observing purity, wisdom, spirituality, abstinence, subordinating the flesh to the spirit, exercising in fasting and prayer, attained a high spiritual perfection… Moreover, he, with his godly teachings and conversations, led many pagans to Christ and prompted many sinners to repent of their sins, and for this Saint Theodotus received from the Lord the gift of healing ailments.
According to legend, Saint Theodotus was seized for his convictions and righteous deeds and subjected to such tortures that the body of the Saint turned into a continuous ulcer, but he, strengthened by the power of God, continued to confess and praise Christ, for which he was “beheaded with the sword.” His martyrdom followed on June 7, 303 or 304. The torturers wanted to burn the body of the martyr Theodotus, but suddenly a violent storm arose and frightened them. The body of the Saint was miraculously delivered to Malos and buried there with honor. Subsequently, on this site, a church in the name of the Holy Martyr Theodotus was built.
Little is known about Saint Theodotus of Adrianople from his hagiography… It is known that the Saint also lived during the time of persecution of Christians, but under Emperor Maximilian Galerius (approximately in 305–311) in the city of Adrianople.
Saint Theodotus of Adrianople, together with the martyrs Maximus, Hesychius and the holy martyr Asklipiodotus, were seized by the emperor’s servants and had to be punished, but before the terrible verdict was pronounced the ruler of the city of Adrianople, cruel Tiris, wished to speak with the Christians and ordered them to be brought to him. Naturally, he began to insist that they renounced their beliefs in Christ, but Saint Theodotus not only renounced his faith, but also began to reproach and denounce the wicked Tiris himself… Tiris commanded that they were thrown to be torn apart by a huge bear, which, alas, to the surprise of everyone, treated them kindly. Nevertheless, in 310 the holy martyrs were executed…
According to the Hagiography, Theodore Tiron (aka Theodore of Amasea) was a warrior in the city of Amasea (in Turkish Anatolia). During the campaign conducted at the direction of the emperor Galerius to force Christians to sacrifice to the pagan gods, Theodore refused to do so. His military commander Vrink gave him several days for reflection, during which Saint Theodore preferred to pray intensely. He was accused of burning the temple of the ancient Greek goddess Cybele and brought to trial before the city governor Publius. Theodore, naturally, insisted that he was a Christian, for which he was imprisoned and doomed to starvation. Finding after some time Theodore alive, the mayor again invited him to make a sacrifice, but Theodore again refused, and then he was tortured – “they gnawed at his body with iron teeth,” but the Saint did not refuse to confess Christ.
Then the people began to shout and demand that the execution of Saint Theodore be carried out as soon as possible. However, he was burned at the stake, and his remains, according to legend, not damaged by fire, Christian Eusebia asked to bury in her house in the city of Euchait. Later, his relics were transferred to Constantinople, and the head was first transferred to Brindisi, and later – to Gaeta.
The epic image of the Saint is reflected in the “Legend of the exploits of Fyodor Tirinin” – an apocrypha about Theodore Tyrone, associated with the theme of the main myth, in which he appears as a serpent fighter. The “Legend of the exploits” is a type of “martyrdom”, not a full-fledged Hagiography, and it is believed that the feat of Saint Theodore is only externally connected with his Hagiography. Therefore, Alexander Veselovsky suggests a possible connection between the spiritual verse and the epic “Dobrynya and the Serpent”.
East and South Slavic traditions represent Theodore Tiron, like Yegor the Brave, an equestrian and protector of livestock.
The relics of the Saint are currently kept in the Novo Hopovo monastery in Serbia.
Regarding Saint Theodore Stratelates, in ancient Russian literature, there are three versions of his Hagiography, which are translated from the Greek language and are called by experts like:
- • short;
- • complete;
- • Slavic.
Thus, quite objectively, there was and there is a wide field for imagination and self-expression of seekers of Truth…
Here is another fact supporting the mentioned confusion with the Saints… The translation of Greek texts often led to confusion of texts, which was a problem, by the way, not only among Slavic translators. The already mentioned proximity of Saints Theodore-Tyrone and Stratelates was also a problem – they were both revered as Christian warriors, lived in the same area at the same time, each defeated his own serpent, were patrons of the army of the Byzantine Empire.
In addition, the texts of the Hagiographies of the Saints are read not far from each other, the celebration of the memory of the Saints in the calendar was located not far away; some of the Chetya-Menaea were composed in such a way that the stories about the Saints followed each other. Therefore, when reading the Hagiographies of the Saints at home, in the view of the reader (copyist, translator), these stories were often intertwined. Moreover, while reading “Chrysostom” these Hagiographies are read very close and can be easily perceived by listeners as a single whole.
In some cultures, the traits of the Saints penetrate each other, scholars give an example of a Georgian translation, in which there is only one martyr, and his name is “Theodore Stratilon”. For example, the serpent fighting of Theodore Stratilon is described according to the Hagiography of Theodore Stratelates, and the torment and death of the character coincide with the Greek text of the Hagiography of Theodore Tyrone. There are texts of “Chrysostom”, in which Theodore Tyrone is called “Stratiot”. There are also apocryphal texts in which Tyron is credited with the military rank of “strategos”, which is not true, for “Tyron” is translated as “recruit”.
Folk signs bring in additional confusion on the day of Theodore Stratelates – according to the Hagiography of Theodore Tiron; it is he, and not Theodore Stratelates, who strikes the Serpent, which guards the drinking source…
There is also confusion with the dates of the commemoration of the Saints, and with the texts of readings at these days…
So, returning to Saint Theodore Stratelates…
He was born in the city of Euchait, in the same city where Eusebia saved the remains of Saint Theodore Tyron, and served in the imperial army. The fame of his military prowess spread after he killed the Serpent, who lived not far from this very Euchait.
According to legend, the Serpent lived on a deserted field in a hole in the earth, and once a day he got out of there… At that moment, anyone could become his victim – any animal, any person… When he was full, he calmly returned to his lair.
According to the Hagiography, Theodore was a handsome, talented, and, what is more important, brave young man, and therefore, decided single-handedly to rid the city of this monster.
Finding himself in an open field, he almost collapsed to the ground from fatigue, but remembering in time the warning of the aged Christian Eusebia, he did not succumb to the temptation, but prayed, mounted his horse and challenged the Serpent to battle. When the Serpent crawled out of his underground shelter, Theodore’s horse jumped on it with hooves, and the rider with one well-aimed and daring blow struck it to death.
It was after this feat that Theodore was appointed a military leader (stratilates) in the city of Heraclea, where he began to actively preach Christianity. By the way, thanks to him, most of the townspeople were converted to the Christian faith, which was reported to the emperor Licinius, who immediately invited Theodore to his place. In response, Theodore invited the emperor to Heraclea, promising to arrange there a magnificent sacrifice to the pagan gods. Having sent the letter, Theodore, as usual, prayed every evening in the church, and on one of these evenings, according to legend, an unearthly light illuminated him and a voice was heard, “Dare, Theodore. I’m with you.”
Actually, it was an unheard-of insolence – in response to an invitation to invite the emperor himself… but, oddly enough, the emperor agreed and arrived in the city with eight thousand soldiers and many gold and silver statues of the Hellenic gods for the ceremony. Theodore (again unheard-of insolence!) asked to take these statues for the night for a personal sacrifice, promising the next morning to worship the gods in public. At night, he smashed these statues of the gods, and distributed parts to the poor. What for? – Probably, just for fun…
However, already the next morning, the imperial centurion Maxentius discovered Theodore’s deception and reported to the emperor, “I swear by the great gods, king, you are now deceived by this wicked Theodore, for I saw the golden head of the goddess Artemis in the hands of a beggar who walked and rejoiced. I asked him where he found this head, and he answered me that Theodore Stratelates gave it to him. “The emperor was shocked, and Theodore Stratelates explained his actions by faith in Christ and disbelief in the pagan gods. In the process of dialogue, Theodore proved to Licinius the correctness of his faith and the incorrectness of the beliefs of the emperor. The emperor was insulted to the core and ordered the execution of the rebellious military leader. Therefore, they subjected the Saint to torture for many days – they whipped him, burned him with fire and tore him with iron claws…, and then imprisoned him and starved him for five days, then blinded and crucified him… Licinius, thinking that the martyr had died, left him hanging on the cross, but “in the very first night watch, the Angel of the Lord took the Holy Martyr down from the cross and made him whole and sound, as he had been before…”
Because of this miracle, the whole city already believed in Christ, and the inhabitants, emboldened, even tried to intercede for their Stratelates…
Nevertheless, Theodore gave the last orders, including about the place of his burial, prayed and voluntarily went to the execution… Saint Theodore Stratelates was “beheaded by the sword” on February 8, 319. His body, according to his last will, was buried in his hometown of Euchait, in the estate of his parents.
His servant Uar, who was an eyewitness to the events and the executor of his last will, recorded the biography of Theodore Stratelates.
According to legend, by preaching Stratelates used to stop civil wars, established peace, freed prisoners, healed the sick…
There are legends about the miracles performed by Theodore Stratilates after death. It is not without reason that the Christian army venerates Saint Theodore Stratilates as their Patron, naming streets and towns after him! Saint Theodore is especially revered in the city of Kostroma, which was restored in 1239 by Yaroslav Vsevolodovich – then a wooden church of Saint Theodore Stratilates was erected in his honor in the center of the city.
There are many monasteries and churches in honor of Saint Theodore Stratilates in other cities, and there are churches in which even particles of the relics of the Saint are kept.
In Moscow, the Temple of the Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates was built in 1782–1806 in Arkhangelsk Lane. In 2010, Patriarch Kirill installed Saint Theodore Stratelates as the heavenly Patron of the Federal bailiff service, which voluntarily helps to restore the Feodorovsky Monastery in Pereslavl-Zalessky.
Well… who is Saint Bogdan after all?
The name Theodor is a Western European version of the name Fyodor, meaning “gift of God” and derived from the Greek name Θεόδωρος (Theodoros), consisting of two words: “θεός”, “God”, and “δώρο”, “gift, present”. The pre-revolutionary and ecclesiastical form of the name is Ѳeodor (Feodor).
Fedot (Theodot) is also a name of Greek origin: Θεόδοτος, “God-given”, “given, dedicated to God, to the gods”, borrowed from the Old Slavonic language, where it appeared as an exact translation from the ancient Greek Θεόδοτος – “given by the gods.”
Bogdan is also a theophoric Slavic name meaning “God-given”, “God’s gift”, to which the Western European name Theodor (Theodore) corresponds, as well as the Greek – Theodore and Theodotus, and the Hebrew names – Nathaniel and Jonathan, and Latin – Deodatus, and French – Dieudonné, and Bulgarian Bozhidar, and even the Turkic names – Kudaibergen and Tengribergen, as well as Muslim – Allahberdi, Alloverdi and Hudoydod…
Moreover, there are compound names like Anna Maria Catherine Sophia Augusta Elizabeth Frederica Adel, Anthony Placid Guillem, Charles Philip Arthur George, or Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus…
Why can’t Saints have such type of names?
Well…, and who, after all, is Saint Bogdan?
First, the one who answers the prayer addressed to him…
One who is the personification of all the best qualities and feats of all the mentioned Saints with theophoric names…
The one who unites all the best of the above mentioned in the Russian soul!
Perhaps that is why today this name has become so popular among Russians, and in the ranking of male names it is listed in 25–27 places, thus being the main name for at least 11–13 boys out of 1000 newborns.
Today this name is incredibly popular among the common people, like many old names, while tens of years ago only people in the highest social strata favored it.
It is also popular because it promises the boy named with it many good qualities, including such as:
kindness and benevolence, friendliness, openness, intelligence, prudence, dignity, perseverance, poise, purity of mind and motives, control over emotions, calmness and self-confidence, absence of bad thoughts about other people, desire to see only good and positive in everything , focus on work, liking even to hard and painstaking work, the ability to love, respect of loved ones, attentiveness to others, caring, the ability to achieve set goals, the ability not to leave anything halfway through, the ability to overcome all obstacles as much as possible, purposefulness, disinterestedness , love of travel, ability to get along with people of all types, willingness to help everyone around, excellent imagination, good sense of humor, desire to develop, create harmony and comfort in the family and at home…
That is, if these qualities are inherent in the bearers of the name Bogdan, then they naturally characterize their heavenly Patron Saint Bogdan, who, as we have already found out, reflects the essence of Fedot (Theodot), Theodor (Theodore), Theodotus, and so on… There is no point in talking about the negative qualities of this name, because the Saints (that is why they are SAINTS!) have no vices!
In “Two Lives” – a mystical novel by the opera singer, teacher and writer Concordia Antarova, written through communication with the High Source thanks to clairaudience and clairvoyance, in which bright and deep images of the great Teachers are given fictional form and their selfless work to reveal the Human Spirit is shown. It is not surprising that when reading this book, the heart is being filled with pure and bright joy.
The real author of the novel is its main protagonist, on whose behalf the narration goes – Lyovushka, that is, Count Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy. He wrote the book “Two Lives” after his death, in his supernatural existence. Indeed, for a spirit striving for beauty, creativity does not stop after death, as well as improvement. Lev Nikolayevich put it like this, “Whoever sees the meaning of life in improvement cannot believe in death – in the fact that improvement may be cut short. That which is being improved only changes its form. “
To show humanity new ways of being liberated, the great Teachers of life send their messengers into the world – i. e. people who have reached a certain degree of spiritual development, people who have been trained in the Ashrams of the great Teachers. The knowledge they have gained there they pass on to the whole world.
Lyovushka was lucky to fall under the guidance of these great Teachers. Other messengers, i. e. characters of the novel, are no less interesting – for example, Stanislav Bronsky, a famous actor and director, meant to open up new ways of development for people through theater and art (of course, that was Konstantin Stanislavsky!); Igoro – i. e. Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko – a theater director, teacher, playwright, writer, theater critic, who, together with Konstantin Stanislavsky, founded the Moscow Art Theater.
The novel also depicts the figure of the composer and musician Anninov-Rachmaninoff, a man who experienced a deep inner discord due to the suffering for his homeland, “I was unable to survive the torment of my people, I fled to America to find the strength to live there. I haven’t found it. I saw the same suffering in a different way, but no less terrible than in my homeland”. In the community of Teachers, Anninov found peace and awareness of his unique path – to awaken new forces in people with music, to give them an impetus to reveal with music completely different paths in life.
In the novel, many other genius personalities are also mentioned… Before they were released from the Ashram into the world, their Teachers gave them parting words, corresponding their missions. The most difficult mission was assigned to the one who was supposed to bring JOY to the world!
Saint Bogdan is the one who, in addition to all of the above-mentioned virtues of Theodors, Theodores, and Theodots… brings JOY to the world! When you pray to Saint Bogdan, you, no doubt, address all the Saints with theophoric names!
In the icon, there can be no accidental details – each detail means something. Moreover, it symbolizes something very important… In this particular icon, it is the same! The clock is a symbol of life, and on the hand of Saint Bogdan… – there simply cannot be another interpretation – it means that the main thing in life is to rejoice, and only the one who knows what JOY is – really lives! He lives when he experiences it!
By the way, if an icon of Saint Bogdan appears in a house, then peace, mutual understanding and harmony reign in it, and the affairs of its inhabitants go uphill!
The Memorial Day of Saint Bogdan is May 8 – the day of the formal acceptance of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender, marking the end of the Great Patriotic War. It is no wonder, right?