The princes of Theodoro were from Gavras or Gabras family. The origination of this dynasty was form Syria or Asia Minor. The first representatives of this family are known from the X-th century, and at that times the family was already considered as noble, and its members were representatives of Byzantine aristocracy.  Syria and Eastern part of Anatolia were the border regions of the Empire and the areas of endless battles with the Muslims. It was the place where in the atmosphere of passionary drive the formation of new aristocratic elite that played the leading role in the Byzantine Empire during the three centuries (from the X-th till the XIII-th century), began.

Your wise words and brave soul, confessed Christ firmly before the infidel,

glorious Theodore, hence they esteemed you by severing your body,

soon thrown in the fire as a sacrifice for Christ,

O intercede for us and pray for our souls.