St. Theodore was a soldier martyr, and suffered death at Amasea in Asia Minor in 306. After being tortured by having his flesh torn by iron hooks, he was burned. During his martyrdom he sang the verse of the Psalm: “I will bless the Lord at all times.” At an early date a round church was built in his honor at Rome; pious women still carry their sick children thither in order to invoke the help of the great martyr.

(Source: The New Roman Missal, Rev. F. X. Lasance)