Typology of Saints Theodora and Didymus

About this sermon

In the Roman Martyrology, there are some amazing stories that are important to keep in mind as they typify important truths about His Majesty, Jesus the Savior, and His Holy Mother, Blessed Mary, as well as the Holy Roman Catholic Church. One of these cases is found when a virtuous young maiden is discovered to be Christian and virgin… unwilling to marry or give up Christ. These saintly women exemplify the Church. The maiden is then carried off to a house of ill-repute, symbolizing the Church somehow being handed over to the world, the flesh and devil, so to speak, to break her down. Then, some good young man sees this and is able to take her place by giving her his clothes for a disguise. He is discovered and then dies as her as a savior. Thus, Christ comes down from heaven, puts on our human nature, and dies to rescue the Virginal Bride, His Church. But the maiden seeing this comes back, unable to be parted from her savior, to be martyred with him. Thus, the Church will follow Her Head and Savior too...wanting to pass though a Passion with Him and for Him... One example of this is found on April 28th in the Roman Martyrology: Theodora was a young noblewoman of Alexandria who had refused to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods. Standing trial, she bravely confessed herself a Christian. The prefect asked why she had not married, pointing out that she was of a noble family and beautiful and could have her choice of husbands. She replied that she had dedicated herself to God, and had resolved to remain a virgin for the name of Christ. After giving her time to reconsider, she remained immoveable. And so, she was taken to a brothel. The Christian Didymus, dressed in soldier’s garb, entered and chased away all the evil men. Didymus then exchanged clothes with her, and she escaped unharmed. When Didymus was discovered, he was taken prisoner and brought to the prefect, where he was condemned to death. In speaking of this amazing scene, Saint Ambrose says that Theodora could not allow her savior to die alone and so she joined Didymus before Proculus to die with him. This took place under Diocletian, in 304, and at Alexandria. For more please visit http://www.reginaprophetarum.org & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest