Orthodox Icon of St. Tevdore

Saint Tevdore

June 8th
Troparion
O Holy Father Tevdore, radiant star shining forth among martyrs, we entreat thine intercession before the Almighty God!

St. Tevdore was a priest from the sixteenth century in the Georgian village of Kvelta. In 1609, the Turks and Persia were in a war over the Near East. In June of that year, the Turks attacked eastern Georgia. The young King Luarsab II of Georgia, having no warning from his armies, heard of the fall of Kartli while staying at his summer residence, Tskhireti Castle in Manglisi. The Turks, knowing where the King was, advanced quickly with the intention of laying seige to the castle, capturing King Luarsab II, and eventually taking over all of Georgia. On their way to Manglisi, they had to go through the village of Kvelta. St. Tevdore, unable to escape into the woods with the other villagers, locked the doors of the church and hid the holy things. When the Turks found St. Tevdore they commanded him to guide them to castle of King Luarsab II and threatened to kill him if he did not. Hoping to misguide and deceive them, St. Tevdore led the Turkish armies along a treacherous mountain path away from Tskhireti Castle. Many horses and soldiers fell to their deaths. After some time, the Turks realized the deception and became very angry. In revenge, they beheaded St. Tevdore. As a result of the saint's sacrifice, King Luarsab had time to plan his defense, strengthen and assemble his armies, and ultimately defeat the Turks. The English translation of Tevdore is Theodore.

This icon is by the hand of Lasha Kintsurashvili.

Order # lkg-22