Hieromartyr Theodore Romzha, Bishop of Mukachevo; The Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian.
Passing into Eternal Life of the Servant of God Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, 1944.
Hebrews 13:7-16; Luke 12:2-12.
Read Luke 12:2-12
In the life and martyrdom of Hieromartyr Theodore Romzha, Bishop of Mukachevo, we behold the Gospel’s quiet power: truth cannot remain buried. The communist regime covered its violence in the rhetoric of progress, yet the light of Christ pierced its darkness through the fearless witness of St. Theodore. The communist hidden intentions of power were exposed not by force, but by faithfulness.
St. Theodore’s calm endurance manifests what St. Basil the Great called “the courage of one who knows that falsehood is a shadow, but truth endures forever.” (Homily on Psalm 14), PG 29:341B. The bishop’s refusal to yield to threats, his forgiveness of persecutors, and his steadfast care for his flock revealed the triumph of divine truth over political falsehood.
The Lord warns His disciples: “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed” (Luke 12:2). In every age, the Church is tested by concealment and compromise. Yet, as St. John Chrysostom teaches, “When truth is fought, it becomes more manifest; when it is struck, it shines brighter.” (Homily IV on Matthew 1:22–23), PG 57:43). Bishop Theodore’s witness continues to show forth that same brightness within us, inspiring us to integrity before God and man.
We can be assured that until the second coming of Christ, the world will continue to attempt to hide the truth but the Church, shaped by the Cross and Resurrection, knows otherwise: “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).