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Saint Timothy.
Bishop and Martyr.
Feast Day 24 January.
Double.
Red Vestments.
Saint Timothy
(17 A.D. - 97 A.D.)
(Orthodox icon).
Bishop and Martyr.
Author: Unknown.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Saint Timothy (Greek: Τιμόθεος; Timótheos, meaning "Honouring God" or "Honoured by God") was a 1st - Century A.D. Christian Bishop, who died around 97 A.D. The New Testament indicates that Saint Timothy travelled with Saint Paul, who was also his mentor. Timothy is addressed as the recipient of the Epistles to Timothy.
Saint Timothy is mentioned in The Bible at the time of Paul's second visit to Lystra, in Anatolia, where Timothy is mentioned as a "Disciple". Paul calls him his "own son in The Faith". Timothy often travelled with Paul. Timothy's mother was Jewish and his father was Greek, but he had not been circumcised, and Paul now ensured that this was done, according to the Text, to ensure Timothy’s acceptability to the Jews.
According to McGarvey, Paul performed the operation "with his own hand", but others claim this is unlikely and nowhere attested. He was Ordained and went with Paul on his journeys through Phrygia, Galatia, Mysia,Troas, Philippi, Veria, and Corinth. His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, are noted as eminent for their piety and Faith, which indicates that they may have also been Christians. Timothy is praised by Paul for his knowledge of The Scriptures (in the 1st-Century A.D., mostly The Septuagint (Greek); See Development of The New Testament Canon - Clement of Rome), and is said to have been acquainted with The Scriptures since childhood.
Stained-Glass Window of Saint Timothy,
Southwark Cathedral, London.
Photo: 1 August 2013.
Source: Own work.
Author: Vassil.
(Wikimedia Commons)
That Timothy was jailed at least once, during the period of the writing of The New Testament, is implied by the writer of Hebrews mentioning Timothy's release at the end of the Epistle. It is also apparent that Timothy had some type of stomach malady, owing to Paul's advice, in 1 Timothy 5:23, counselling Timothy to: "No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments."
Paul commanded Timothy to remain in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1): "I command you to stay there in Ephesus", to prevent Heresy from infecting The Church in Ephesus. Paul also gave him instructions for establishing Elders and Deacons, there. These very guidelines have become the commonly-used guidelines among Churches across the World to this day.
According to later Tradition, Paul Consecrated Timothy as Bishop of Ephesus in 65 A.D., where he served for fifteen years. In 97 A.D., (with Timothy dying at age eighty), Timothy tried to halt a pagan procession of idols, ceremonies, and songs. In response to his Preaching of the Gospel, the angry pagans beat him, dragged him through the streets, and stoned him to death. In the 4th-Century A.D., his Relics were Transferred to The Church of The Holy Apostles, in Constantinople.
Pen and Ink Drawing (top),
Colour Photo (middle),
The High Altar (bottom),
of The Catholic Church of Saint Timothy,
Los Angeles, California,
United States of America.
Illustration: SAINT TIMOTHY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Saint Timothy, born at Lystra (Asia Minor), of a pagan father and a Jewish mother, was already a Christian when Saint Paul came to that town. Saint Paul, whose Conversion we Celebrate tomorrow, was struck by Timothy's Holiness and took him as a companion on his travels. Saint Timothy thereupon gave up everything and became his Disciple (Gospel).
Saint Paul conferred on him full Sacerdotal powers (Introit) and committed to his care The Church of Ephesus. We read, in the Epistle, a passage of one of the two admirable Letters which his Master wrote to him. Saint Timothy was stoned to death in his Episcopal City in 97 A.D.
Let us, with Timothy, confess The Divinity of Christ in this Season After Epiphany, which is its Liturgical manifestation.
Mass: Státuit. Of a Martyr Bishop.
