Often the lives of the martyred saints tell stories that are difficult to read because they are filled with cruelty, but this is what they endured for Christ who strengthened them. Below are the lives of the Sts. Timothy and Maura, (martyred in the year 286) newlyweds who chose to die for the Lord and encouraged each other in their suffering. To us this might be strange, but to Sts. Timothy and Maura they loved Christ and each other so much that they would die together for him.

 

 

Today many would simply say, “Deny Christ. He’ll forgive you.” The Lord can forgive if we repent, but what about our love for Christ? Is life worth living without Christ?

 

And what about today when our brothers and sisters under the Islamic yoke in the Middle East are being killed for Christ’s sake?

 

 

Timothy was known for his great piety and knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. Many times at night after the day's work, villagers would gather around Timothy where he would read to them from the Scriptures. Maura too was known for her love of the Scriptures and merciful works. Timothy was the son of a priest, Maura the daughter of pious parents.

 

After only 20 days of marriage, Timothy was summoned to the pagan governor Arianos, to be brought to trial for his Christian teaching and missionary work. At first, he was asked to surrender all of his sacred books in order for them to be destroyed. Timothy refused, for he knew their value and power. "If a father who loves his children," he said, "and who obeys the natural law does not deliver up to death his fleshly children, how can I give over my spiritual children, the sacred books, into your polluted hands?" He was punished harshly and inhumanely for his courage but he regarded the tortures as honors, since they would bring him eternal life. The governor commanded that Timothy deny Christ or be pierced through the ears with iron rods, so that the pupils of his eyes leapt out with the pain. He was also hanged by his feet and his mouth was stuffed with wood. His wife was arrested and cruelly tortured after she was asked to use her "womanly gifts" to persuade her husband to deny Christ. Instead, she gave Timothy strength and encouragement during his suffering. This enraged Arianos even more and he began to think of even more barbaric tortures. Maura's hair was pulled out and her fingers were cut off.  As she was being tortured, she prayed for her tormentors. She was then put in a cauldron of boiling water which did not affect her. 

 

During all of these tortures, the saints saw their guardian angels which comforted them. As they were both led to their death by crucifixion, they both kissed their crosses on which they were to be martyred. Nailed to their crosses facing each other, each comforted the other as they hung on their crosses. After hanging on their crosses glorifying the Lord, these newlyweds gave up their souls and entered eternal life.  

 

They are the patrons of Christian married couples because of the courage they gave each in sacrificing themselves for Christ.

 

Miraculously, the heartless Arianos the Governor later repented, became a Christian, and was martyred for Christ. The Church celebrates his feast day on December 14.

 

 

Kontakion of Sts. Timothy and Maura

 

You accepted many humiliations and endured crucifixion,

you deserved to be crowned by God,

great and praiseworthy Timothy and Maura, one in Christ.

Intercede with the Lord for us

that we may celebrate your most pure memory;

that He may grant peace to our land and people,

for He is a powerful stronghold for the faithful!