St. Timothy

St. Timothy was a native of Lystra in Asia Minor, born of a Greek father and a devout Jewish mother, Eunice, and raised in the Scriptures by her and his grandmother Lois. Converted through the preaching of St. Paul, he became the Apostle's most trusted and beloved companion, whom Paul calls "my true child in the faith" and sends on his most delicate missions to the young churches.

He accompanied Paul on his journeys and shared in his labors and sufferings, and Paul appointed him to lead the Church at Ephesus. To him are addressed the two New Testament letters that bear his name, filled with a father's counsel to a young shepherd on sound teaching, prayer, and perseverance, and with the moving charge to "guard the good deposit" of the faith. Tradition holds that he governed Ephesus for many years and was martyred there for opposing a pagan festival. He is celebrated with St. Titus on 26 January.