Saint andHoly Martyr Theodore of Komogovina[1][2] (Serbian:свети мученик Теодор (Сладић) комоговински,[3] Teodor Komogovinski; 18th century) is aSerbian Orthodox saint (holy martyr), who served as amonk in the monasteries of Komogovina and Moštanica. When theOttomans burned Moštanica, they killed many monks, including Teodor whom they burnt alive in 1788 after he refused to renounce his Christian faith, as well as manySerbs from surrounding villages. He is remembered on Theodore's Saturday (on the first Saturday ofGreat Lent).
Teodor Sladić (Теодор Сладић) was born in a village inKukuruzari (modernCroatia) into a humbleSerb family named Sladić. As a young man, he accompanied amonk from the Serbian OrthodoxKomogovina monastery (which is near his birthplace in Kukuruzari) to Moštanica monastery nearKozarska Dubica (modernBosnia and Herzegovina). He undertook an austere life both at Komogovina and Moštanica. When theOttomans burned Moštanica, they killed many monks, as well as many localSerbs from the surrounding villages.
Ascetic Theodor was ordered to give up his belief inJesus Christ, but he refused. The Turks burned him alive in 1788 near Moštanica monastery. His body burned, but withGod's miracle, his right hand has been kept and has been exempted both from the fire and degradation. This was the first sign of the holiness of thismartyr.
The saved hand was moved to Komogovina monastery, where it was by the beginning ofWorld War II. During the war, it was moved many times, and by the end of World War II it was found at St. Nicholas Church inKarlovac, where it remained until 1955 when it was returned toKostajnica for safety reasons. During holidays and prayer days, theHoly hand was carried over to Komogovina so that faithful people could bow to this martyr.
The Holy Assembly of Bishops of theSerbian Orthodox Church on 20 May 1966 under AS number 28, record 44 took a decision: "Insert into the list of all Serbs holy martyrs forfaith and St. Theodor (Sladić) martyr from Komogovina, therewith to be mentioned on the day of Theodor's Saturday".
He is remembered on Theodore's Saturday (Тодорова субота), which falls on the first Saturday ofGreat Lent.[2]
