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258 258 ST. THEODOTA pretoxts. One of these was at Philip- popolis, the ancient Eumolpias in Thrace, daring the war between Licinios and Constantine. Agrippa, the prefect, having ordered a general sacrifice to Apollo, Theodota refused to take part in it. On beinp; interrogated, she admitted that she had led a sinful and disgraceful life, but said that she had now become a Christian and would not join in an idolatrous sacrifice. She was put in prison for twenty days, which she spent in prayer. During her public trial and torture, she prayed aloud that she might find mercy for her sins, and thanked God that one so unworthy was permitted to su£fer in His cause. Finally she was stoned. Dutler. St. Theodote (8), Sept. 2, M. at Nicomedia, in the reign of Julian the apostate. Wife of St. Paternus, a tri- bune. They were converted to Chris- tianity by St. Zeno ; sixty-eight soldiers were converted and baptized with them. Next day they were all handed over to Serapion, who caused a great furnace to be heated, and ordered that all who would not sacrifice to the gods, should bo cast into it. The new converts were firm, and a woman with two babies came joyfully to join the band of martyrs. Serapion seeing their constancy, was converted and baptized with five hundred and twenty-two soldiers who followed him to martyrdom ; and all are com- memorated together. AA,SS, St. Theodota (9), July 17, M. at Constantinople, under Loo the Iconoclast. Perhaps the same as Theodosia (8), May 29. B.M. St. Theodula, in French Theole, Feb. 5, V. M. c. .S04. Represented holding a nail or nails. In the reign of Diocletian and Maximian a certain Pclagius was sent to put down (Jhristianity at Anazarbus, a great city of Cilicia. Theodula was soon brought before him, and as she openly declared herself a Christian, she was hung by her hair on a cypress tree and her breast pierced with red-hot bodkins. Pelagius then said to her, " Where are youi;gods ? Show them to me and I will do all in my power to honour them." Theodula was taken to an idol temple, where she prayed to Christ, and the statue of Hadrian fell down and was broken id three pieces. She returned to Pelagias and said, " Go and help your god, for a great misfortune has befeJlen him." PeLsigius ran to the temple, and seeing his god lying on the ground in three pieces, trembled and cried out. When the Emperor heard of it, he sent some of his chief courtiers to Anazarbus, with orders to inquire into the truth of the story ; and if it were true that the idol was broken, to have Pelagias thrown to the beasts of the circus. When Pelagius heard that, he threw himself at the feet of Theodula and entreated her with many tears, to pray to her God that the statue might be restored, promising on that condition to become a Christian. She granted his request, and when the Emperor's messenger arrived, he found the image of Hadrian standing uninjured in its usual place. He returned and reported this to his master, who wrote to Pelagius to torture the saint again and then put her to a horrible and lingering death. So he had her again pierced with red-hot bodkins. Then Helladius said, ** Give her to me and if I do not make her sacrifice to the idols, cut my head off." So he had five huge nails made, and took Theodula away to bis own house. Next day he brought her back, and confessed himself a Christian ; where- upon his head was cut off and his body thrown into the sea. He is com- memorated in the Greek Church, Jan. 24, but his name does not appear in the Roman or other Western calendars. Theodula was thrown into a burning fiery furnace, where she stood unhurt by the flames, praising Qod. Pelagius exclaimed in a rage, "What can I do with this woman, is there no form of death for her?" Then one of the bystanders, named Beothns, cried out, " Give her to me : I am not so silly as Helladius, to be converted by her foolish superstitions." So he took her to his house. Next day he came back with her and said, " O Governor, I also stand before you to confess the £uth of the Christians. It is better for me to fail in my promise to you, and to be