Image of Theodore (the Oriental)

Salutation to the memory of your name, which is a sign of the cross, the beginning of its alphabet. And to your hair, curled and black, which is like the form of a lock of wool. Theodore, mighty one, the Lord is the angel of his power. As I praise you in the number of all your attributes. Grant me a vision that is fitting and appropriate. Salutation to your head, whose adornment is a crown of martyrdom. And to your beautiful face, which gladdens the sight of those who see it. Theodore, by your struggle, for Christ a martyr in his death. Give me your blessing and grant me a gift in vain. Poor of understanding and destitute, as if I had wealth. Salutation to your eyebrows, the guardian of all the storehouse. And to your one eye, salutation along with the other. Theodore, Jacob, to the Lord the divider of his people. The peoples of the earth, because of your greatness, offered praises and gave. My people also proclaimed your righteousness. Salutation, salutation to your two ears. And to the jaws and mouths that sharpen themselves from the edge of a sword. Theodore, martyr, while you hoped for the hope of resurrection. You endured the penalty of death before the assembly of the elders. Those who scatter the flesh of a person like grain in a field.

Salutation to your nostrils, the breath of incense that wafts, and to your lips, joyful, the praise of God that glorifies. Theodore, you are a vine of the branch that bears fruit, with your great power, my Lord, I rejoice exceedingly, as one who has found your abundant teaching. Salutation to your mouth, closed from vain speech, and to your teeth, white as the whiteness of hail and milk. Theodore, bent in the curve of the hook of the thornbush, may your curve be a ransom for me on the day of distress and affliction, when the Father puts on the garment of drought and famine. Salutation to your tongue, the speaker of the truth of Christ, and to your word, the arrow that pierced the king. Theodore, martyr, son of Sidrakos, exchange me every morning with the brothers of your father, Fasiledes, and with Eusabios, his son, and his brothers, the Makaris. Salutation to your breath, whose fragrance is sharp, and to your throat, good, the palate of the mouth and within. Theodore, ark, bound with gold of righteousness, be a guardian and a keeper for your hidden flock, that the wolves of the plain may not devour them.

Salutation to your neck, which resembles a bow of the rainbow, and to your shoulders, which bear the burden of the quiver like a shield. Theodore, martyr among the martyrs of Antioch, teach me through your diligence before the face of the Lord of Kenya, that my soul may be forgiven its sins and its errors may be pardoned. Salutation to your chest, which has gathered the moisture of the quiver, and to your arms, which have raised the height of the bow in valor. Theodore, joyful one, grant me a portion, for I have been forgotten like a flower that has withered and like a wave that has passed. Salutation to your bosom, which has assembled the splendor of suffering, and to your hands, which have been touched by the gathering of pain. Theodore, come quickly with a cry, that you may consume them in the dust of the earth in the region, and bring near to the enemies of my soul those who despise people. I say salutation to your firm loins and to your knees, which touch the heads of enemies like a sword. Theodore, established in the foundation of strength and might, who is like you, my Lord, among the mighty of men? A man firm in his hand who seizes with a grasp.

Salutation to your mother, the measure of punishment and pain, and to your sides, strong with the bows of blood. Theodore, martyr, renowned of memory and name, when they saw you in the midst of battle, by the charge of a horse, glorious, the people of Quz came, saying, "Your gods are for Rome." Salutation to your fingers, like the points of arrows, sharp, and to your nails, sharpened, whose flash is like lightning. Theodore, sun of your land, the East, assist me, your servant, by the covenant of your hearing, gold, when from bitter servitude righteousness prevails. Salutation to your ribs, with the bows of iron that were shaken, together with your belly, by the blow, until the entrails within were scattered. Theodore, for the love of your soul that you measured, may your hands be placed above my head, anointing of holiness, the fragrance of the wondrous, set. Salutation to your heart, which dwelt in a place of learning, and to your kidneys, which in the struggle confronted the fire. Theodore, the priests of Qana call you continually, while you perform wonders and marvels, in the midst of the peoples of his city, he fled and went.

Salutation to your mind, which does not think evil deeds, and to your limbs, firm with the bow of the strong arrow. Theodore, honored, to your pair, the exile. Make me abundant in the gold of conduct and in the pure silver of righteousness, not in this transient wealth. Salutation to the wealth of your inner self, with the bow of the strong arrow, which is a chain, and to your waist like it, for it is planted in its midst. Theodore, king, when he makes a feast, call us, your brothers, who are with the wild beasts, a multitude. With joy and gladness, let us make a feast. Salutation to your waist, a refuge for the mighty in their strength, and to your shoulders, which have the pleasing form of his countenance. Theodore, ever with Galawdewos, each a martyr, and with Lendiyos, your beloved, and Niqaryos, your second. Come down from heaven to my supplications. Salutation to your arms, which are bent for the strong, and to your legs, curved with the bow of the strong arrow, wondrous. Theodore, a man of valor, my gold and silver. When my Lord placed me in the treasury of wisdom and counsel, that I might judge the ten senses.

Salutation to your jaw, which is adorned with the bow of the arrow that was woven, and to your limbs, the yoke of the pain of hearing and torment. Theodore, my heart, salvation of my face. Why have you left me while my soul is captive? Only in joy, rejoice my soul. Salutation to your fingers, whose number is in the midst of ten, and to your nails, which are above their joints, which were created. Make me hear the word that says, "Theodore, chief of the free." Rejoice greatly, my beloved, for your tribulation has passed. May sorrow not find you from now on, O perfect one. Salutation to your stature, which has brought forth the measure, and to your form, the sun that has covered the darkness of the bow. Theodore, you said, "When the law of Christ bound me, do not fear death, my brothers, nor all that happened, while our Lord God is with us; there is none who can hinder." Salutation to the departure of the soul in the fragrance of the divine gift of God, and to your body, fragrant more than amber and musk. Theodore, by the love of the angel Michael, send him to me from you, with the ordinance of faith and friendship, so that he may raise my prayer of morning and evening.

Salutation to the growth of your flesh in the fire of shame, the first; and to your holy tomb within the treasure of the righteous fathers. Theodore, strong one among the strong, the enemies. Why has your planting, firm and living for eternity, withered? Who will save me now, a man, from what? Salutation to you, the foundations of Amin and Tewaklo, of the martyrs of Antioch and of Kālān in Amadablo, together with Theodore the martyr, you who have completed the struggle. Be praised continually and beseech the one who hears all, that he may grant me his mercy and compassion. Theodore, Gälawdewos, Fasiledes, and Fiqṭor, Yosṭos, Aboli, and Abadir, Awsabəyos and Maqāris of the city of Antioch, crown me, my lords, with your perfect crown, that I may not miss the account of the exalted and proud. Do not fear at all from the resurrection of the enemy, the wicked one. With my companions I will be where you are. Thus Theodore said to me at all times: If you and those brothers of yours are there, what is there to fear, below or above?

The rulers of this world, a man of violence and deceit. If they are baptized in the hand of the wicked, Theodore, wise one for the baptized, destroy. Remembering your weakness, they will not strike me, the stranger. The compassion of the heart like an only son. Do not leave me, my Lord, in the sea of great sorrow, while weeping drowns me and lamentation afflicts me. Theodore, dove for the contrite heart of Noah, make me hear the word of good news through the pure sign of the covenant, while you say, "Your drowning is dry, O eye." A rod of truth, I will brandish with the sword of the eloquent tongue, and a vine of song, I will cause to sprout with the hands of the word of the vine-dresser. Theodore, martyr for your feast in the month of Ṭōbe, you also give me from your gift, O giver, so that his counsel, the wise one, may strengthen my hand. From the fruit of the lips and the mouth, a pure offering of praise, behold, I have offered to your greatness, O hands. Theodore, give me my request, humble and sorrowful, greatly increase the orphans while they open a release. If they give them a share, they will give much.

By this your prayer, when they ask and pray, those who are tossed on the sea and those who are sick in the house, Theodore, save and heal their sicknesses. And bring their lives to an end if they have lived according to your law, for you are powerful over all, for Christ in his greatness. Hail to you, Theodore, the glory of the church, and the tamer of wild beasts by your word, the tamer of lions. Hail to you, Theodore, the jewel of Antioch, its boast. He who hears your deeds, which are on the wall, rejoices each year. Hail to you, the one who seized the sword by force, Nicomedia, established with the equipment of the field, Theodore, skilled in killing. Hail to you, the hearing of your deeds is sweet like wine, the joy of the vineyard, which gladdens the heart and mind, Theodore, good news. Hail to you, who is like you, my Lord, the bearer of pain and sickness, Theodore, the dove, Theodore, the wild beast, who destroyed the power of the serpent. Hail to you, as the sign in the hand for Nicomedia of the sword, the way of joy, the avenger for the righteous man, Theodore, the man of command.

Salām laka ba-gadāma ḫazēn ʿuyyibāt wa-ba-ḥaqlā ʿabiyy gaʿār. Fatḥanī ʾibbāt wasta hagar ʾǝnza ʾǝṣanḥakā Tewodros Mār. Ṣāḥay taqwalqala wa-masya bǝḥer.