CHANDELIERS - FAMILY SAINTS | KAIROS GLOBAL | MAY 2019

Author: Joseph Santhosh & Bijie Santhosh

Saints Timothy and Maura 

(Feast celebrated on May 3rd)

Newly Weds martyred for their faith. 

For nearly two millennia, the Church has celebrated the witness of married couples who were made holy by their vocation.

St. Timothy was the son of a priest in 3rd-century in Antinopolis (present day Egypt). Raised in the Church, he became a lector, which was a minor order (like sub-deacon or acolyte) that entailed far more than simply proclaiming the readings. He spent his evenings reading to the people of his village and preaching the Gospel as well as keeping the holy Scriptures and liturgical books safe in his home during the persecutions of Roman Emperor Diocletian. In the year 286, Timothy married a pious 17-year-old woman named Maura and the two began a life of prayer and Christian witness together.

Both the spouses, much revered in the Eastern Church, had been married only twenty days when they were called upon to witness to their faith. Timothy was ordered to surrender to the authorities the sacred books of the Church. When he refused, Arian, the local Roman prefect arrested him. Timothy was subjected to brutal tortures, including having red hot iron rods thrust into his ears. Even his tormentors were pained at the sight. Yet he remained steadfast.

At last, Arian called for Timothy’s wife, Maura, certain that the young woman, seeing her husband in such suffering, would immediately encourage him to apostatise. As Maura was marched in before her husband, Timothy called out to her to set aside all her fears. Despite the dreadful sight of Timothy’s mangled body, Maura took heart –“I am prepared to die with you,” she told him. And so Maura too was taken into custody and tortured. It is said that she miraculously outlasted an attempt to boil her to death in a giant cauldron.

At length, Arian had the husband and wife pinned up or crucified in such a way that each could see the other. Their passion lasted nine days “and, encouraging each other to persevere in the faith, they consummated their martyrdom.”

On May 3, their feast day, let’s ask them to intercede for all Christian marriages that spouses may rejoice in suffering together, encouraging each other daily to live more fully for Christ.

Sts Timothy and Maura, pray for us!

Intention: May we be able to avoid with all our heart, negative criticism and offensive words concerning relatives (in-laws, cousins etc) and, in general may be avoid all attitudes, omissions and words that may harm the self-esteem of others thereby leaving open wounds which are difficult to heal.