1. THEOPHOROS

Disciple of John the Apostle
Hieromartyr of Antioch
Zealous bishop Ignatius
Most willing to suffer, this bearer of God

In the face of persecution
He gave his life for his flock
Refusing to sacrifice
To Trajan’s dead idols

Marching to Rome to the circus of slaughter

Not punished for any crime
But simply for his love for God
Hastening to the Father
Along the road to Rome
Giving his life for his flock
For his beloved brethren
An offering of a pure loaf
In the form of his body

The name of the Lord
Written on his heart, he confessed the faith
He embraced his execution
Martyred was he
Within the arena
He became entertainment for the masses
Food for the beasts
The execution of a faithful man

To the men of Rome he announced
His longing to be with God
On this pagan festival
He became a sacrifice to the one true God
Offering himself as a pure loaf
Made of fine wheat
Ground fine by the teeth
Of wild and hungry beasts

Torn limb from limb and devoured
A brutal repose endured

To his brethren he told
Not to grieve for him
For in his death he was granted
An imperishable crown
Strengthened in his suffering
He carried his cross to the arena
His own Golgotha
In the midst of ravenous lions

Leaving behind a pure heart
In the midst of blood and bones
In gold was inscribed the name
Of our one Lord Jesus Christ
In the tissues of his very heart
From which he prayed unceasingly
A great martyr sits in paradise
A bearer of God