Saint Theodore the Tyro Honored with Miracle of Kollyva Commemoration

On Saturday, February 28, 2026, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the feast commemorating the miracle of kollyva, associated with Saint Theodore the Tyro. The observance honors the historical event where Saint Theodore appeared in a dream to Eudoxius, the Archbishop of Constantinople, warning Christians against consuming food defiled with idol sacrifices during the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate.

The Miracle of Kollyva

During the 4th century, Emperor Julian the Apostate, seeking to undermine the Christian faith, secretly ordered that food sold in Constantinople’s markets be tainted with blood from sacrifices to pagan idols, particularly during the first week of Great Lent. Saint Theodore the Tyro appeared to Archbishop Eudoxius in a vision, revealing the emperor’s plot and instructing the faithful to abstain from the marketplace provisions and instead consume kollyva – boiled wheat – a traditional food in the saint’s homeland of Euchaita. [1]

Commemorative Services in Jerusalem

The commemoration was marked by Vespers, including the First Stasis of the Salutations, and a Divine Liturgy held at the Holy Monastery of Saints Theodore in Jerusalem’s Old City. The services were led by Metropolitan Hesychios of Capitolias, alongside Archimandrites Philoumenos, Stephanos, and Amphilochios, Priest Nektarios, and Archdeacon Mark. Chanting was performed by Hierodeacon Prodromos and nuns Maria, and Sebastiani. The service was attended by members of the sisterhood, local Jerusalemite faithful, representatives from the Greek Consulate General, and a limited number of pilgrims due to ongoing conflict. [1]

Patriarchal Visit

His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, visited the monastery during the Divine Liturgy to offer veneration, accompanied by members of the Holy Sepulchre. The attendees were welcomed by Archimandrite Alexios, Hegumen of the Monastery and rite-keeper of the Patriarchal Church of Saints Constantine and Helen.

About Saint Theodore the Tyro

Saint Theodore the Tyro, also known as Theodore the Recruit or Theodore of Amasea, was a Roman soldier during the persecution of Maximian in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries. He refused to renounce his Christian faith and was subjected to torture before being burned to death around 305 AD. His relics are venerated in Constantinople and Gaeta, Italy.

His feast day is observed on February 17th.