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Beer Saints: St. Theodotus

May 18, 2021 By Jay Brooks

Today is the feast day of St. Theodotus, who was also known as St. Theodotus of Ancyra (c. 303 C.E.). He was a fourth-century Christian martyr, along with the “saintly virgins” who were Thecusa, his aunt, Alexandra, Claudia, Faina, Euphrasia, Matrona and Julitta, among others, and collectively their feast day is today, although there is also a separate one for Theodotus on June 7. He is the patron saint of innkeepers, because he owned and operated an inn in Ancyra, the capital of the Roman province of Galatia.

Here’s what we know of him, from Wikipedia:

On 18 May, the Roman Martyrology says: “At Ancyra, in Galatia, the martyr Saint Theodotus and the saintly virgins Thecusa, his aunt, Alexandra, Claudia, Faina, Euphrasia, Matrona and Julitta,” etc. They are mentioned in all the menologies, and Theodotus has a special feast on 7 June.

According to the Acts (Acta Sanctorum, May, IV, 147), Theodotus was a married man who kept an inn at Ancyra, the capital of the Roman province of Galatia. He is described as a man very zealous in the performance of his Christian duties, endowed with many virtues, especially charity towards his neighbour, bringing sinners to repentance and strengthening many in their faith during the persecution which the Roman governor Theoctenus was carrying on in the province, about 303, in accordance with the imperial edict of Diocletian.

The name of a certain Victor is mentioned as one who grew weak in his profession of Christianity and received much encouragement from Theodotus. Theoctenus ordered that all provisions exposed for sale should first be offered to the idols. Theodotus laid in stores of goods, and his house became a refuge for the Christians, a hospital for the sick, and a place for Christian worship.

At Malos, about five miles from Ancyra, he sought out the body of the martyr, Valens, and gave it a Christian burial. Returning to Ancyra, he found the Christians in great trouble. The seven virgins mentioned above had been called before the judges and made a valiant profession of their faith; they were then sent to a house of debauchery, but preserved their purity. Then they were obliged to suffer cruel torments, and were cast into the sea with stones attached to their bodies.

According to legend, Theodotus succeeded in retrieving the bodies and honourably burying them. In consequence, he was arrested, and, after many sufferings, was killed by the sword; his body was miraculously brought to Malos and there entombed by the priest, Fronto. A chapel was built over the grave, and the saint was held in great veneration.

And this account is from the Catholic Encyclopedia:

On 18 May the Roman Martyrology says: “At Ancyra, in Galatia, the martyr Saint Theodotus and the saintly virgins Thecusa, his aunt, Alexandra, Claudia, Faina, Euphrasia, Matrona, and Julitta”, etc. They are mentioned in all the menologies, and Theodotus has a special feast on 7 June (Nilles, “Kal. man.”, I, 162, and II, 583). He is patron of innkeepers. Emblems: torches and the sword. According to the Acts (Acta SS., May, IV, 147) Theodotus was a married man who kept an inn at Ancyra, the capital of Galatia. He is described as a man very zealous in the performance of his Christian duties, endowed with many virtues, especially charity towards his neighbour. He brought sinners to repentance and strengthened many in their faith during the persecution which Theoctenus, the governor of the province, was carrying on, about 303, in accordance with the edict of Diocletian. The name of a certain Victor is mentioned as one who grew weak in his profession of Christianity and received much encouragement from Theodotus. The governor ordered that all provisions exposed for sale should first be offered to the idols. Theodotus laid in stores of goods and his house became a refuge for the Christians, a hospital for the sick, and a place for Divine worship. At Malos, about five miles from Ancyra, he sought out the body of the martyr, Valens, and gave it Christian burial. Returning to Ancyra he found the Christians in great trouble. The seven virgins mentioned above had been called before the judges and made a valiant profession of their faith; they were then sent to a house of debauchery, but preserved their purity. Then they were obliged to suffer cruel torments and were cast into the sea with stones attached to their bodies. Theodotus succeeded in rescuing the bodies and honourably burying them. In consequence he was arrested, and after many sufferings was killed by the sword; his body was miraculously brought to Malos and there entombed by the priest Fronto. A chapel was built over the grave, and the saint was held in great veneration. The legend is told by Nilus who claims to have been an eye-witness to a great part of what he describes. Ruinart (page 372) places it among his “Acta sincera et selecta”. Pio Franchi produced a critical edition of the Acts in “Studi e Testi” (Rome, 1901). He considered them trustworthy, but later changed his opinion. Delehaye (Anal. Boll., XXII, 320, and XXIII, 478) says: “The kernel of the legend is a tale narrated by Herodotus, while the existence of the hero of the narrative is not vouched for by any historic document.”

And this short story is from Catholic Online:

Martyr with Thecusa, Alexandra, Claudia, faina (Phaina), Euphrasia, Matrona, and Julitta during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian. Theodotus was an innkeeper at Ancyra, Galatia (modern Turkey), who gave burial to seven virgins after their martyrdom for refusing to wear pagan priestess robes and take part in a pagan festival. Theodotus was himself betrayed by an apostate and was martyred. In turn, his remains were gathered up by a Christian and sent to Malus where they received a proper burial and were enshrined in a chapel. This martyrdom is suspect and is believed to be a morality tale.

Filed Under: Beers

Beer In Ads #3729: Coors Pale Bock Beer

May 17, 2021 By Jay Brooks

Monday’s ad is for “Coors’ Golden Bock,” from 1938. This ad was made for the Coors Brewing Co., who did not do as much advertising as their competitors. In part, this was because they were not sold nationwide until the 1980s. This one is for the NewCoors Pale Bock Beer, which as I understand it they only made for a few years just after Prohibition ended in 1933. I love that they’re quoting “noted judge of fine brews,” the lawyer-cum-beer judge “Bock Goat, Esq.” Why have I never judged with him?

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers Tagged With: Advertising, Coors, History

Beer In Ads #3728: Coors Golden Bock

May 16, 2021 By Jay Brooks

Sunday’s ad is for “Coors’ Golden Bock,” from between 1933 and 1940, although it definitely looks much older. This ad was made for the Coors Brewing Co., who did not do as much advertising as their competitors. In part, this was because they were not sold nationwide until the 1980s. This one is for Coors’ Golden Bock Beer, which as I understand it they only made for a few years just after Prohibition ended in 1933, but given the appearance of this ad, it’s possible they made bock before prohibition, as well, but I couldn’t find anything definitive about that.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers Tagged With: Advertising, Coors, History

Beer In Ads #3727: Coors Genuine Bock Beer

May 15, 2021 By Jay Brooks

Saturday’s ad is for “Coors Bock,” from between 1933 and 1940. This ad was made for the Coors Brewing Co., who did not do as much advertising as their competitors. In part, this was because they were not sold nationwide until the 1980s. This one is for Coors Genuine Bock Beer, which as I understand it they only made for a few years just after Prohibition ended in 1933.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers Tagged With: Advertising, Coors, History

Beer In Ads #3726: Coors Bock

May 14, 2021 By Jay Brooks

Friday’s ad is for “Coors Bock,” from around 1933 or just after. This ad was made for the Coors Brewing Co., who did not do as much advertising as their competitors. In part, this was because they were not sold nationwide until the 1980s. This one is for Coors Bock, which as I understand it they only made for a few years just after Prohibition ended in 1933.

And here’s a reproduction of the ad which is a little darker and shows some more detail.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers Tagged With: Advertising, Coors, History

Beer In Ads #3725: Coors Golden Beer

May 13, 2021 By Jay Brooks

Thursday’s ad is for “Coors Golden Beer,” from 1937. This ad was made for the Coors Brewing Co., who did not do as much advertising as their competitors. In part, this was because they were not sold nationwide until the 1980s. This one is a reproduction of an ad from 1937, showing the iconic Coors waterfall.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers Tagged With: Advertising, Coors, History

Beer In Ads #3724: Adolph Coors Company In Wood

May 12, 2021 By Jay Brooks

Wednesday’s ad is for “Coors Beer,” from maybe the 1970s. This ad was made for the Coors Brewing Co., who did not do as much advertising as their competitors. In part, this was because they were not sold nationwide until the 1980s. This one is yet another illustration showing the brewery in Golden, Colorado, but it’s printed on wood for some reason.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers Tagged With: Advertising, Coors, History

Beer In Ads #3723: Color Me Coors

May 11, 2021 By Jay Brooks

Tuesday’s ad is for “Coors Beer,” from 1978. This ad was made for the Coors Brewing Co., who did not do as much advertising as their competitors. In part, this was because they were not sold nationwide until the 1980s. This one is a little different than yesterday’s promotional poster showing the brewery in Golden, Colorado around 1900. Besides being a newer image of the brewery, it’s meant to be a coloring book of sorts. I’m not sure how it was used, whether it was a giveaway poster or it was a part of some other promotion.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers Tagged With: Advertising, Coors, History

Beer In Ads #3722: Adolph Coors Golden Brewery c. 1900

May 10, 2021 By Jay Brooks

Monday’s ad is for “Coors Beer,” from 1900. This ad was made for the Coors Brewing Co., who did not do as much advertising as their competitors. In part, this was because they were not sold nationwide until the 1980s. This one is a promotional poster showing the brewery in Golden, Colorado around 1900. I love these stylized brewery illustrations that were obviously the fashion for breweries at the time. They always show the brewery in its best light, looking amazing. Someday, I’d love to do a coffee- table book of as many of them as I can find, and there are a lot of them.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers Tagged With: Advertising, Coors, History

Beer In Ads #3721: Team Up With Coors

May 9, 2021 By Jay Brooks

Sunday’s ad is for “Coors Beer,” from 1983. This ad was made for the Coors Brewing Co., who did not do as much advertising as their competitors. In part, this was because they were not sold nationwide until the 1980s. This one shows a way to enthusiastic beer seller at what looks like badly staged fake sporting event. I feel like I should know who the beer seller is, but I really don’t now, do you?

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers Tagged With: Advertising, Coors, History

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