Of ancient foundation, San Teodoro al Palatino is a 15th century rebuilding of a seventh century circular church. The dedication is to the 4th century Greek soldier martyr, St Theodore Tyro. San Teodoro was rebuilt at the behest of Pope Nicholas V (1447–1455), after the church had fallen into ruin.
Apse Mosaic
The apse must have been preserved, since the apse mosaic has survived. It depicts Christ seated on an orb, flanked by St Peter, St Paul and two martyrs, St Theodore and St Cleonicus.
Interior
In November 2000, Pope St John Paul II announced that he was granting use of the church to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The intention was to convert it for use by the expatriate Greek community of Rome, and in the process there was a thorough restoration. On July Ist 2004, the church was officially inaugurated into its new role by His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew.