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Little Pictoral Lives of the Saints

Spiritual Bouquet: If you love those that love you, what reward shall you have? Do not even the publicans do that? St. Matthew 5:46

SAINT TITUS
Bishop
(† Towards the end of the first century)

Saint Titus was a Greek-speaking convert from paganism and a disciple of Saint Paul, one of the chosen companions of the Apostle on his journey to the Council of Jerusalem. He became his fellow-laborer in many apostolic missions. From the Second Epistle which Saint Paul sent by the hand of Titus to the Corinthians, we gain an insight into the disciple’s character as a peacemaker and an administrator, and understand the strong affection which his master bore him.

Titus had been commissioned to carry out a twofold office needing much firmness, discretion, and charity. He was to be the bearer of a severe rebuke to the Corinthians, who were harboring a scandal and were wavering in their faith; and at the same time he was directed to put their charity to the test by calling upon them for abundant alms for the church at Jerusalem. Saint Paul at Troas was anxiously awaiting the result. He writes, “I had no peace of mind at Troas, because I did not find there Titus, my brother.” (II Cor. 2:13) And he set sail for Macedonia. Here at last Titus brought the good news; his success had been complete. He reported the sorrow, the zeal, the generosity of the Corinthians, and the Apostle was filled with joy, and sent his faithful messenger back to them with the letter of comfort from which we have quoted.

Titus was finally left as a bishop on the Island of Crete, where Saint Paul addressed to him the epistle which bears his name. We see from Saint Paul’s Epistle to Titus that this cherished disciple had organized the Christian community, and was engaged in correcting abuses and establishing a clergy. We do not know the history of the final years of Saint Titus from Scripture, only that he was in Dalmatia a short time before the martyrdom of Saint Paul. (Epistle to Timothy 4:10) Writers on Church history state that he died on Crete. His relics are conserved at Venice in the cathedral church of Saint Mark.

The mission of Titus to Corinth shows us how well the disciple had learned the spirit of his master. He knew how to be firm and to inspire respect. The Corinthians, we are told, “received him with fear and trembling.” He was patient and painstaking. Saint Paul “gave thanks to God, who had put such solicitude for them in the heart of Titus.” And these gifts were enhanced by a quickness to detect and elicit all the good in others, and by a joyousness which overflowed upon the spirit of Saint Paul himself, who “abundantly rejoiced in the joy of Titus.” (II Cor. 2:13)

Sources: Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin (Bloud et Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 1; Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on Butler’s Lives of the Saints and other sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894).

Saint Timothy

January 26th

St Timothy was born in Lystra in Lyconia of a pagan Greek father and a Jewish mother named Eunice. His grandmother was a Christian and it was perhaps through her influence and teaching that he came to follow Christ. When the Apostle Paul visited Lystra, the young Timothy was already a full member of the Christian Church and after the two discussed the many difficulties Christianity was facing, the younger man expressed a desire to serve as a missionary, despite its hazards. It was after the departure of Barnabas and Mark that Paul summoned Timothy to accompany him as a colleague in the cause of Christ.

About a quarter of a century after Christ, Timothy and Paul traveled to Europe, accompanied by Silas, in a missionary task of staggering proportion. In most areas theirs was at best a thankless job, but with the zeal born of a profound love of the Saviour, they succeeded in securing a foothold in spiritually darkened corners. They brought this about with administrative skill in the face of odds which might have discouraged less hardy souls. In a fury of religious oratory, they summoned thousands to the fold and established Churches of God where for centuries people had worshipped mere objects or beasts out of fear and superstition.

When St Paul was summoned to Athens, he commissioned Timothy to carry the word of Christ to Corinth, Thessaloniki, and Phillipi. To these areas Timothy displayed his talents to the fullest in establishing a nucleus of Christian Churches which became the cornerstone from which Christianity has grown to its present day proportions. Timothy made his way to Ephesus were he was established as bishop of the city. A frenzied mob of resentful pagans whom he denounced stoned him to death. St Timothy died a martyr for Christ on January 22 AD 72.

To the man Timothy fell the solemn honor of being the recipient of two letters from the great apostle St Paul entitled First Timothy and Second Timothy.

Saint Titus

According to tradition and the information of the New Testament ( 2 Corinthians , Galatians, 2 Timothy , Titus, and other Epistles of St Paul), the venerable bishop Titus was of Greek origin. His parents were nobles from Crete. Soon Titus became the disciple and follower of the Apostle of Nations. He followed Paul in his ecumenical and missionary journeys. As a matter of fact Apostle Paul took Titus to Jerusalem to attend the proceedings of the Apostolic Synod. Titus gained invaluable experience from this Synod. Soon afterwards, around 55-56 AD, while Paul was preaching at Ephesus, Titus was sent to Corinth to assist the local church with matters of utmost importance. Having fulfilled his task, he left for Philippi where he met his master. Titus gave a full account to Paul of his journey to Corinth. In the fall of the same year, Titus was dispatched to Corinth once more to conclude his teaching. Apostle Paul was very proud of his pupil. In Corinthians B' Paul refers to Titus as "partner" and "fellow helper" to his missionary work.

Titus proved one of the best disciples and partners to Paul. The Apostle entrusted him with the organization of the Cretan Church and appointed him bishop. Titus was installed (took office) in Crete between 62-64 AD, i.e. following the release of Paul from Rome, where he had been brought to stand trial as reactionist. Although the Gospel had already been delivered to Crete by Cretan missionaries, yet certain schism matters needed immediate attention. In addition, the organization of the Church was deficient. Christian communities suffered internal conflicts on account of false teaching. Thus, the task of Titus was very delicate and difficult. In spite of this Titus managed to resolve the conflict and restore peace among the contending parties. As an instrument of divine justice, Titus distinguished himself as a paragon of piety and an eradicator of impiety. The influence of St. Titus was such that a great many heretics and idolaters revoked their heresies or abandoned their idols to become followers of the Cretan Saint. According to legend, St. Titus, the agent of Paul, died at Gortyna of Crete at the age of 94, after many years of service to God. During the fourth century the Church declared Titus saint and since then his memory is celebrated on August 25. In addition, he was recognized as patron of Crete.

During the 6th century a wooden roofed basilica was built in his name at the place were his holy relics had been deposited. However, when Crete was conquered by the Saracens (Arabs) in 824 AD, the basilica was demolished and since then it remains in ruins. The saint's skull was salvaged by devout Christians. Following the recovery of Crete by the Byzantine general Nicephoros Phokas in 961 AD., a stately Metropolitan church was erected in the town of Heraklion (Chandax) where all holy relics were kept. When the town of Heraklion fell to the Turks in 1669, the saint's skull was transported to Venice and deposited in the Basilica of St. Mark. The skull of the saint was returned to Crete following a series of negotiations with the representatives of the western church which lasted from 1957 to 19G6. On the morning of May 15, 1966 hundreds of devout Christians gathered at the port of Heraklion to honor the arrival of the holy relics. It was an extraordinary experience for all Christians. The Church celebrated the event with a stately joint liturgy at the Cathedral. The memorable Archbishop of Crete, Eugenios, eulogised the saint's skull as "to dokimwvtero upevr crusivon kai timiwvteron livqwn polutelwvn qhsaurwvn". Since then the relics have been a blessing for the Church of Crete.

In conclusion, Apostle Titus invites us all to become the disciples of true teachers and with the grace of God turn fervent missionaries in our land. In this day and age thrive heresies and false religions. Their teachings have a charming effect on Cretans, particularly on the young. We only need assimilate the teachings of Apostle Titus and follow his example in order to avert the danger of falsehood.