Holy Apostle Timothy (+80)

The holy Apostle Timothy was born in the city of Lystra in Asia Minor. He was converted to Christianity in 52 by the holy Apostle Paul (+67; commemorated 29 June). During Paul and Barnabas’s first journey through the cities of Lycaonia, Paul healed a man lame from his mother’s womb. This miracle converted many to the law of Christ, among them the young Timothy, his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois (Acts 14:6–12; 2 Tim. 1:5). The seeds of faith that Paul sowed in Timothy’s soul bore abundant fruit. He became a faithful disciple of the chief of the apostles and afterwards his inseparable companion. In his epistles Paul calls him his beloved son and remembers with gratitude his faithfulness and devotion: “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra” (2 Tim. 3:10–11). In 65 the Apostle Paul consecrated Timothy Bishop of Ephesus, and for fifteen years he governed his flock well. Paul, shut up in a Roman prison and knowing that he must soon stand before the Lord, called his faithful disciple and friend to him: “Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me” (2 Tim. 4:9).

Once in Ephesus the pagans held a great festival in honour of their false gods. They carried idols through the streets, accompanied by lawless rites and songs, which made a revolting spectacle. Burning with divine zeal, Timothy tried to stop and instruct the benighted, godless crowd. The enraged idol-worshippers rushed upon the holy hierarch, beat him, dragged him along the ground, and at last stoned him (+80). In the fourth century the incorrupt relics of the Apostle Timothy were translated with honour to Constantinople and placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles.