Tir 23 — January 31

Saint Timothy the Apostle

Today we remember Saint Timothy (say it: TIM-uh-thee). He grew up in a city called Lystra. His mother loved God, and as a boy Timothy learned to listen and to do good.

One day a teacher named Paul the Apostle came to Lystra. Paul was one of Jesus' closest helpers, and he traveled far to tell people about God. He preached about our Lord Jesus Christ, and God healed the sick and worked wonders through him. The wisest men in the city could not do such things, and everyone stood in wonder.

Timothy listened and believed. He was baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity, washed with holy water as a new friend of God, and he became Paul's helper. The two of them traveled to many cities together, working hard to share God's love.

Paul cared for Timothy like a son. He even wrote him letters to teach and cheer him on. He made Timothy a bishop in a city called Ephesus, a church leader who watches over God's people. There Timothy taught and taught, and many, many people came to love Jesus.

Timothy was gentle and faithful, and he guarded God's people like a good shepherd guards his sheep. Some people did not like his teaching, and they hurt him, and Timothy died as a martyr. He stayed faithful to God even though it cost him his life. But he was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to God.

Long after, a good emperor named Constantine carried Timothy's body to the great city of Constantinople, and everyone held a happy feast to honor him on this very day.

Paul cared for Timothy so much that he called him his "beloved son."

Beware of lying prophets.— Saint Paul, in his letter to Timothy

Three Holy Friends of the Church

Today we also remember three good people who loved God and helped His Church.

Two of them, Athanasius (say it: ath-uh-NAY-shus) and Cyril, were brave church fathers. They were teachers who helped everyone understand the true faith about Jesus, so people would not be confused. They worked hard so that God's people could believe rightly and live in peace.

The third was Theodosius (say it: thee-oh-DOH-shus), a righteous emperor. An emperor is a great king who rules over many lands. Theodosius used his power to do good and to care for the Church, instead of only thinking about himself. That is why we call him righteous, which means a person who tries to do what is right before God.

We thank God for these three friends, who used their minds and their gifts to help others know and love Him.