Saint Timothy the Apostle came from the Lycaonian city of Lystra in Asia Minor. He was addressed to Christ in 52 by Saint Paul the Apostle.
When the apostles Paul and Barnabas first visited the Lycaonian cities, the Apostle Paul in Lystra healed the lame man from birth, and many residents of the city believed in Christ, among them were the future apostle, the young man Timothy, his mother Eunice and grandmother Loida.
The seeds of faith sown by the Apostle Paul in the soul of St. Timothy bore abundant fruit. Timothy became a zealous disciple of the apostle, and subsequently — his inseparable companion and collaborator in preaching the Gospel. The Apostle Paul loved Saint Timothy and called him his beloved son in the Epistles, remembering with gratitude his loyalty and devotion. He wrote to Timothy: «You followed me in teaching, life, disposition, faith, generosity, love, patience, persecution, suffering...».
In 65, the Apostle Paul consecrated the Apostle Timothy bishop of the Ephesian Church, which Saint Timothy ruled for 15 years. The Holy Apostle Paul, being in prison in Rome and knowing that he was about to undergo a martyrdom, summoned the faithful disciple and friend of the Apostle Timothy to his last meeting.
Saint Timothy ended his life as a martyr. In Ephesus, the pagans celebrated a festival in honor of the idols and carried them around the city, accompanied by wicked rituals and songs. Saint Bishop Timothy, jealous of the Glory of God, tried to stop and admonish people blinded by idolatry, preaching to them true faith in Christ.
The pagans rushed at the holy apostle in anger, beat him, dragged him on the ground and stoned him. The Holy Apostle Timothy received martyrdom for Christ in 80. In the 4th century, the holy relics of the Apostle Timothy were transferred to Constantinople and placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles. The church honors Saint Timothy among the seventy apostles.