Saint Timothy
Stored in Cargo: Saint Timothy
| Saint Timothy | |
| Feast Day | January 26 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Stomach ailments, intestinal disorders |
| Birthplace | Lystra, Lycaonia, Roman Empire |
| Death Place | Ephesus, Asia Minor, Roman Empire |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom, stoning |
| Primary Shrine | Cathedral of Termoli, Molise, Italy |
Saint Timothy (AD 17 – c. AD 97) was an early Christian saint, disciple, bishop of Ephesus, and missionary, renowned as a trusted companion of Saint Paul the Apostle. Born in Lystra, Lycaonia (modern Turkey), to a Greek Gentile father and a Jewish-Christian mother, Eunice, Timothy was raised in the Christian faith by his mother and grandmother, Lois (2 Timothy 1:5). Converted or mentored by Paul during his first missionary journey (c. AD 46–48), Timothy was circumcised to facilitate Jewish outreach (Acts 16:3) and joined Paul’s second missionary journey (AD 49–52), traveling to Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Jerusalem. Appointed bishop of Ephesus around AD 62, he oversaw church governance, combated false teachings, and mentored clergy, as detailed in the First and Second Epistles to Timothy. He was martyred by stoning in Ephesus around AD 97, aged about 80, for protesting a pagan festival honoring Artemis (Diana). Canonized pre-Congregation, his feast day is January 26 in the Roman Catholic Church and January 22 or February 23 in the Eastern Orthodox Church, often celebrated with Saint Titus. He is the patron saint of stomach ailments and intestinal disorders, linked to Paul’s advice to use wine for his frequent illnesses (1 Timothy 5:23). [1][2] His relics, initially buried in Ephesus, were translated to Constantinople’s Church of the Holy Apostles in AD 356 and later to the Cathedral of Termoli, Molise, Italy, in AD 1239 following Crusader transfers. The Acts of Timothy (5th century) details his martyrdom, while Paul’s epistles praise his fidelity, gentleness, and pastoral leadership. Timothy’s role in bridging Jewish and Gentile Christianity, alongside figures like Saint Titus and Saint James of Nisibis, strengthened the early Church. His legacy endures in Christian traditions as a model pastor and missionary. [3][4]
Biography
Birth
Saint Timothy was born around AD 17 in Lystra, Lycaonia (modern Turkey), to a Greek pagan father and a Jewish-Christian mother, Eunice. His grandmother, Lois, also a Christian, nurtured his faith, teaching him the Hebrew Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15). [1][5]
Early Life
Raised in Lystra’s mixed Jewish-Gentile community, Timothy was well-versed in Jewish Scriptures and Christian doctrine. He likely met Paul during his first missionary journey (AD 46–48) in Lystra (Acts 14:6–23), becoming his disciple. Already respected by Christians in Lystra and Iconium, Timothy was circumcised by Paul to avoid Jewish objections (Acts 16:3) and joined Paul’s second missionary journey (AD 49–52), visiting Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth. [2][6]
Occupation
Timothy served as a disciple, bishop, and missionary. As Paul’s envoy, he delivered letters to Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:2) and Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:17) and attended the Council of Jerusalem (AD 49), supporting Gentile inclusion. Appointed bishop of Ephesus around AD 62, he oversaw church organization, combated heresies like Gnosticism (1 Timothy 1:3–7), and ordained clergy. He accompanied Paul to Jerusalem (AD 57) and Rome (AD 60–62), enduring imprisonments (Hebrews 13:23). His leadership in Ephesus paralleled Saint Titus’s work in Crete. [1][3]
Vocation
Timothy’s vocation centered on evangelization, pastoral leadership, and missionary outreach. Described as Paul’s “beloved son” (1 Corinthians 4:17), he was gentle and timid, requiring Paul’s encouragement (2 Timothy 1:6–8). The Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy) outline his duties: maintaining doctrine, ordaining presbyters, and fostering church unity (1 Timothy 4:12–16). His ascetic lifestyle, including fasting, reportedly alleviated chronic stomach ailments, inspiring his patronage. His missionary efforts, including safe travels despite persecutions, supported the spread of Gentile Christianity, aligning with Titus’s and Saint James of Nisibis’s missions. [4][7]
Death
Timothy was martyred around AD 97 in Ephesus, stoned by a pagan mob during a riot sparked by his opposition to a festival honoring Artemis (Diana). The Acts of Timothy recounts his death at age 80, with burial in Ephesus. His relics were moved to Constantinople in AD 356 and to the Cathedral of Termoli, Italy, in AD 1239. [1][5]
Significant events
- Converted by Paul in Lystra, c. AD 46–48.
- Circumcised by Paul, c. AD 49.
- Attended Council of Jerusalem, AD 49.
- Joined Paul’s second missionary journey, AD 49–52.
- Appointed bishop of Ephesus, c. AD 62.
- Imprisoned in Rome with Paul, c. AD 62–64.
- Martyred in Ephesus, c. AD 97.
- Relics translated to Constantinople, AD 356.
- Relics moved to Termoli, Italy, AD 1239. [1][2]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Lystra, Lycaonia, Roman Empire
Death location: Ephesus, Asia Minor, Roman Empire
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
Timothy’s recognition as a Servant of God began soon after his martyrdom, with early veneration in Ephesus evidenced by relic devotion and the circulation of the Pastoral Epistles by the 2nd century. The Acts of Timothy (5th century) further solidified his sanctity. [2][5]
Venerable
No formal Venerable declaration was recorded, as his sainthood predates modern processes. His cult grew through church dedications in Ephesus and Constantinople. [1]
Beatification
No distinct beatification occurred, as his martyrdom and discipleship under Paul ensured early veneration. [4]
Canonization
Timothy was canonized pre-Congregation, with no recorded date or canonizer. His feast day is January 26 in the Roman Catholic Church and January 22 or February 23 (with Titus) in the Eastern Orthodox Church. [1][3]
Miracles
No specific miracles are attributed to Timothy, as his canonization rested on his martyrdom and episcopal role. His ascetic diet alleviating stomach ailments and survival through imprisonments (Hebrews 13:23) were considered providential. [6][7]
Miracle for beatification
No miracle was documented, as his veneration predates modern processes. [2]
Miracle for canonization
No miracle was required, per early Church norms for martyrs and disciples. [4]
Other notable miracles
Reported healing of stomach ailments through ascetic practices, c. AD 60s.
Safe missionary travels despite persecutions, c. AD 49–62. [7]
Patronage
Saint Timothy is patron of stomach ailments and intestinal disorders, linked to his recovery from chronic digestive issues through fasting and Paul’s advice to use wine (1 Timothy 5:23). [8]
Feast day
His feast day is January 26 in the Roman Catholic Church and January 22 or February 23 (with Titus) in the Eastern Orthodox Church, with variations in Anglican and Lutheran traditions, commemorating his martyrdom. [1][7]
Veneration
Timothy is venerated across Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran traditions. Pilgrimages to the Cathedral of Termoli, Italy, and Ephesus’s archaeological sites honor his relics. His image, often depicted with a scroll, club, or pastoral staff, adorns churches like Saint Timothy’s in Lutz, Florida, and Minnesota. Feast day liturgies feature the Epistles to Timothy, emphasizing pastoral care and fidelity. His role as a bridge between Jewish and Gentile Christians, alongside Saint Titus and Saint James of Nisibis, underscores his legacy in early Christianity. [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]
- The Letters of Paul: Conversations in Context by Calvin J. Roetzel[1]
Written by the saint
The First and Second Epistles to Timothy are authored by Saint Paul the Apostle. [2]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "Saint Timothy". Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Timothy.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "St. Timothy". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14726b.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Saint Timothy". Franciscan Media. 2025-01-26. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-timothy.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Saint Timothy". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-timothy/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "St. Timothy". Catholic News Agency. 2025-01-26. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-timothy-98.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "St. Timothy". Eternal Word Television Network. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/timothy-1210.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "St. Timothy". Vatican News. 2025-01-26. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/01/26/st--timothy.html.
- ↑ "Saint Timothy". Saint of the Day. 2022-11-30. https://saintoftheday.com/st-timothy.
- ↑ "Cathedral of Termoli". Turismo Molise. https://www.turismomolise.it/en/luogo/cattedrale-di-termoli/.