St. Theodore Stratelates

Description Saint Theodore was a Christian soldier who was persecuted by the Roman authorities on account of his faith. Small cut-stone images of him, like this one, were encased in precious metal frames and worn around the neck by both clerics and laymen. Theodore is shown in full battle gear, including a round shield hung over his shoulder. The dedicatory inscription by the donor of a similar portrait of the saint together with his namesake Theodore the Recruit explains: "Christ points to you, O Theodores, as my armed protectors, so that you deliver me from all danger. . . ."

Exhibitions

• Early Christian and Byzantine Art. Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore. 1947.
• Realms of Faith: Medieval and Byzantine Art from the Walters Art Museum. Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville. 2001-2002.
• Realms of Faith: Medieval and Byzantine Art from the Walters Art Museum. Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville. 2002-2005.
• Realms of Faith: Medieval and Byzantine Art from the Walters Art Museum. Museum of Biblical Art, New York; Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville; Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha. 2008-2009.

Provenance Henry Walters, New York [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Sadie Jones (Mrs. Henry Walters), 1931, by inheritance; Sale, Parke-Bernet, New York, November 30, 1943, no. 483; Fahim Kouchakji, New York, 1943, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1944, by purchase.

Credit Museum purchase [formerly part of the Walters Collection], 1944