Saint Apostle Timothy was from the Lycaonian region and received his upbringing in the city of Lystra. His father was a pagan, while his mother and grandmother were Jewish, righteous and virtuous. Saint Timothy, being young, turned to the holy Apostle Paul, who healed the lame man in Lystra. Timothy's mother welcomed Paul into their home and entrusted her son to him for education. Seeing Timothy's virtues, Saint Paul took him along on his apostolic journeys, circumcising him according to the law of Moses, so as not to offend the Jews. Timothy became a deacon, then a presbyter and bishop, not yielding to other apostles in labors and sufferings.
Saint Timothy preached the word of God, was an eloquent orator and defender of the true faith. He received teaching from Saint Paul and Saint John, the beloved disciple of Christ. In Ephesus, during a festival, he openly preached about Christ, for which he was cruelly tortured and died. His relics were transferred to Constantinople and laid in the church of the holy apostles. Saint Timothy became an example of humility and devotion to God, and his life was full of virtues and service.
