Holy Martyrs Timothy and Maura

Life

Wondrous is the destiny of these glorious martyrs, bridegroom and bride! Twenty days after their wedding they were brought to trial for the Christian Faith before the Thebaid governor Arianus, in the time of Emperor Diocletian. Timothy was a reader of the church in his town. "Who art thou?" the governor asked him. Timothy answered: "I am a Christian and a reader of the Church of God." The governor said further: "Dost thou not see around thee the instruments of torture prepared for thee?" Timothy answered: "And thou dost not see the angels of God who strengthen me." Then the governor ordered that his ears be pierced with iron rods, so that from the pain the pupils of his eyes burst forth. Maura was at first frightened by the torments, but when her husband encouraged her, she too confessed her unwavering faith before the governor. He ordered that first all her hair be pulled out and then the fingers of her hands cut off. After many other torments, to which they would have quickly succumbed had not the grace of God strengthened them, they were both crucified on crosses, one facing the other. And so hanging on their crosses, they remained alive for a full nine days, counseling and encouraging one another in endurance. On the tenth day they surrendered their spirits to the Lord, for Whom they endured death on the cross, and thus were deemed worthy of His Kingdom. They suffered honorably for Christ in the year 286.

From the Hymn of Praise

### HOLY MARTYRS TIMOTHY AND MAURA