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Feast Day: January 2
Saint Theodore of Marseille, also known as Théodore of Marselha, Théodore of Marsiho, Théodore of Massalia, Théodore of Massilia, Teodor, and Teodoro, was a sixth-century bishop of Marseille, a region in Gaul, which is present-day France. Born in an unknown year, Saint Theodore dedicated his life to bringing about clerical discipline and control of his clergy. However, his efforts were met with opposition from both King Childebert and King Guntram, which led to his imprisonment and exile on multiple occasions. Throughout his career, Saint Theodore attended the synod of Mâcon in 585, demonstrating his active involvement in the ecclesiastical matters of his time. His commitment to maintaining discipline within the priesthood was commendable, although it inevitably brought him into conflict with powerful figures in the political realm. Despite the challenges he faced, he persisted in his pursuit of leading the clergy towards a righteous path. One noteworthy event in Saint Theodore's life was his correspondence with Pope Saint Gregory the Great. The letters he received from the Pope discussed the proper approach to the conversion of Jews. At the time, some priests were resorting to forced baptisms, which went against the Pope's teachings. Saint Theodore, instead, focused on the importance of convincing Jews of the faith through dialogue and understanding. Saint Theodore of Marseille passed away in the year 594 due to natural causes. His devotion and dedication to upholding the principles of the Church earned him great respect, and he was later canonized as a saint. While specific details about his representation and patronage are not readily available, his feast day is celebrated on the 2nd of January. Overall, Saint Theodore of Marseille's life was marked by his unwavering commitment to fulfilling his duties as a bishop. Despite facing opposition and hardship, he tirelessly strived to establish clerical discipline and control, all while exemplifying the values and teachings of the Catholic Church.