In the time of the persecution of Christians, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, the governor Arrian was appointed to persecute Christians in Thebes. Among the faithful, there was Timothy, a church reader from the village of Panapea. Twenty days after his marriage to Mavra, he was captured by the pagans and brought before the governor. Timothy boldly confessed his faith in Christ and refused to offer sacrifices to the idols. Because of this, he was subjected to cruel tortures, yet he never lost his hope in God.
Wishing to persuade Timothy to renounce his faith, the governor ordered his wife Mavra to be brought before him. Seeing her husband’s suffering, she at first tried to convince him to obey the governor’s command, but Timothy remained steadfast. Mavra, inspired by his courage and faith, also chose to follow her husband in martyrdom.
Enraged by their unwavering faith, the governor subjected both of them to terrible tortures, which ended with their crucifixion. The holy martyrs remained on the cross for nine days, comforting and encouraging each other in their suffering. At the sixth hour of the tenth day, the angels of God came to receive their souls.
Before her death, Mavra addressed the people, urging them to live according to the word of the Gospel. Both saints surrendered their souls into the hands of God, receiving the crown of righteousness and a place in the Kingdom of Heaven.
