Birthplace: Lystra Lycaonia
Date of Birth and Death: 1st century
Feast Day: January 26th

Notable: Bishop

Life:Timothy was born in the Lystra Lycaonia area. His father was a Gentile but his mother was converted Christian. When St. Paul came to Lystra, he met Timothy and was so impressed by his character that Paul made Timothy a disciple despite his young age.

Unafraid of the hardships and dangers his new life would bring, Timothy accompanied Paul on his second missionary trip. When Paul had to leave Beroea because of hostilities, timothy stayed behind to help organize the new converts. Later, Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica where the new Christians were suffering persecution. Timothy was probably with Paul when he, along with Timothy, was imprisoned at Caesarea and Rome.

Paul and Timothy proved to be close friends. In a letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote tha no one shared his sentiments as closely as Timothy. In his last letters to Timothy while Paul was waiting to be executed in Rome, Paul encourage Timothy and warned him of the dangers against the early Church. Paul also made Timothy, Bishop of Ephesus, a crucial position in the early Church. He remained there until he was much older until he was beaten to death with clubs for opposing a pagan festival.

Timothy was a dedicated missionary whose life with Paul is a moving example of the fellowship among early Christians.

Prayer

Dear Saint Timothy,
well known for your gentleness, you were a most faithful disciple of Saint Paul,
and like him traveled much to bring the Good News to all people.
The Letters Paul wrote to you reveal your zeal and inspires us with confidence in you.
You too were cast into prison and you too gave your life for Christ.
So with confidence, we dare to ask please obtain relief for us, if it be God’s will.