Saint Titus
Stored in Cargo: Saint Titus
| Saint Titus | |
| Feast Day | January 26 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Crete |
| Birthplace | Unknown, possibly Crete or Antioch |
| Death Place | Gortyn, Crete, Roman Empire |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Heraklion Cathedral, Crete, Greece |
Saint Titus (AD 10 – AD 96–99) was a saint, early Christian missionary, and bishop of Crete, revered as a disciple of Saint Paul the Apostle. Born around AD 10, possibly in Crete or Antioch, to Gentile parents, Titus was likely converted by Paul during his early missions. He accompanied Paul to the Council of Jerusalem (AD 49), advocating for Gentile exemption from circumcision (*Galatians 2:1–3*). Appointed bishop of Crete by Paul around AD 62, he organized the Church there, as detailed in the *Epistle to Titus*, one of Paul’s pastoral letters. Titus also served as Paul’s envoy to Corinth, reconciling the community (*2 Corinthians 7:6–15*). He died of natural causes in Gortyn, Crete, around AD 96–99. Canonized pre-Congregation, his feast day is January 26 in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, sometimes celebrated with Saint Timothy on February 23 in Orthodox traditions. He is patron of Crete.[1][2]
His relics are venerated in Heraklion Cathedral, Crete, formerly the Basilica of Saint Titus, built in Gortyn. Titus’s role in Crete strengthened early Christianity, complementing Paul’s missions and Timothy’s work in Ephesus. The *Epistle to Titus* outlines his duties, emphasizing sound doctrine and Church governance. His Gentile background and collaboration with Paul, alongside figures like Saint James of Nisibis in broader missionary contexts, highlight his contribution to Gentile inclusion in the Church.[3][4]
Biography
Birth
Saint Titus was born around AD 10, possibly in Crete or Antioch, to Gentile parents. Little is known of his early life, but his Greek heritage is suggested by Paul’s reference to him as uncircumcised (*Galatians 2:3*).[1][5]
Early Life
Titus likely converted to Christianity through Saint Paul the Apostle’s preaching, possibly during Paul’s first missionary journey (AD 46–48). As a Gentile, he joined Paul and Barnabas at the Council of Jerusalem (AD 49), where his uncircumcised status symbolized Gentile freedom from Mosaic Law (*Galatians 2:1–5*). He became Paul’s trusted companion, traveling to Antioch and Corinth.[2][6]
Occupation
Titus was a disciple, bishop, and missionary. He served as Paul’s envoy to Corinth (AD 55–56), delivering letters and resolving disputes (*2 Corinthians 7:6–15*). Appointed bishop of Crete around AD 62, he organized churches, appointed presbyters, and combated false teachers, as instructed in the *Epistle to Titus* (*Titus 1:5–9*). He later joined Paul in Rome and Dalmatia (*2 Timothy 4:10*), spreading the Gospel.[1][3]
Vocation
Titus’s vocation was Church leadership and missionary work. The *Epistle to Titus* details his role in establishing Crete’s Church, emphasizing discipline and orthodoxy. His success in Corinth, earning Paul’s praise (*2 Corinthians 8:16–17*), showcased his diplomacy. As a Gentile bishop, he bridged Jewish and Gentile Christians, aligning with Paul’s mission and the broader efforts of figures like Saint Timothy in Ephesus and Saint James of Nisibis in Mesopotamia. His governance ensured Crete’s Christian stability.[4][7]
Death
Titus died around AD 96–99 in Gortyn, Crete, of natural causes, likely old age, aged around 86–89. Buried in Gortyn, his relics were later moved to Heraklion Cathedral, Crete, after Venetian transfer in AD 1669. Tradition holds he lived ascetically, serving Crete until his death.[1][5]
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Unknown, possibly Crete or Antioch
Death location: Gortyn, Crete, Roman Empire
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
Titus’s recognition as a Servant of God began post-mortem, with veneration in Crete, evidenced by early church dedications and the *Epistle to Titus*’s circulation by the 2nd century.[2]
Venerable
No formal Venerable declaration was recorded, as his sainthood predates modern processes. His cult grew through relic veneration in Gortyn.[1]
Beatification
No distinct beatification occurred, as his discipleship under Paul ensured early veneration.[4]
Canonization
Titus was canonized pre-Congregation, with no recorded date or canonizer. His feast is January 26 in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, sometimes February 23 with Timothy in Orthodox traditions.[1][3]
Miracles
No specific miracles are attributed to Titus, as his canonization rested on his missionary work and episcopal role. His success in Crete was seen as providential.[6]
Miracle for beatification
No miracle was formally documented, as his veneration predates modern processes.[2]
Miracle for canonization
No miracle was required, per early Church norms for disciples.[4]
Other notable miracles
- None widely recorded, though his Corinth reconciliation was considered divinely aided (*2 Corinthians 7:6*), AD 56.[7]
Patronage
Saint Titus is patron of Crete, reflecting his episcopal leadership and enduring legacy on the island.[8]
Feast day
His feast day is January 26 in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, with February 23 sometimes celebrated alongside Timothy in Orthodox traditions.[1][7]
Veneration
Titus is venerated across Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran traditions. Pilgrimages to Heraklion Cathedral, Crete, honor his relics. His image, often with a scroll or mitre, adorns churches like Saint Titus Church in Heraklion. Feast day liturgies feature the *Epistle to Titus*, emphasizing Church order. His work under Paul, alongside Timothy and in the broader context of Saint James of Nisibis’s missions, underscores his role in early Christianity’s expansion.[4][9]
Books
Written about the saint
- Lives of the Saints, Vol. VI by Alban Butler[2]
- The Pastoral Epistles: First Timothy, Second Timothy, Titus by Benjamin Fiore[1]
- Paul: His Story by Jerome Murphy-O’Connor[1]
Written by the saint
- None attributed; the *Epistle to Titus* is authored by Saint Paul the Apostle.[2]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Saint Titus". Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Titus.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "St. Titus". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14727b.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Saint Titus". Franciscan Media. 2025-01-26. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-titus.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Saint Titus". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-titus/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "St. Titus". Catholic News Agency. 2025-01-26. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-titus-97.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "St. Titus". Eternal Word Television Network. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/titus-1211.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "St. Titus". Vatican News. 2025-01-26. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/01/26/st--titus.html.
- ↑ "Saint Titus". Saint of the Day. 2022-11-30. https://saintoftheday.com/st-titus.
- ↑ "Saint Titus Church, Heraklion". Explore Crete. https://www.explorecrete.com/heraklion/saint-titus-church.html.