Apostle Titus of the 70 was a native of the island of Crete, the son of noble pagans. In his youth, he carefully studied Hellenic philosophy and ancient poets. While studying science, Titus led a virtuous life, not indulging in the vices and passions characteristic of most pagans. He observed virginity, as testified about him (December 20). For such a life, the Lord did not leave him without His help. At the age of twenty, Saint Titus heard a voice in a dream, urging him to abandon Hellenic wisdom, which did not give salvation to the soul, but to seek that which saves. After this dream, Saint Titus waited another year to see if he would receive another similar command and, indeed, he was instructed to familiarize himself with the teaching of God’s prophets. The first thing he happened to read was the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Having opened it at chapter 47, he was amazed by the words spoken as if about his own spiritual state.
When rumors reached Crete about the Great Prophet who had appeared in Palestine and about the miracles He was performing, the ruler of the island of Crete, Titus’ uncle, sent him there. This Prophet was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who became incarnate from the Most Holy Virgin Mary and came into the world to redeem the human race from the original sin that burdened it. Saint Titus saw the Lord in Jerusalem; listened to His preaching and believed in Him. He witnessed the suffering of the Cross and the death of the Savior, His glorious Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. On the day of Pentecost, the future apostle heard, standing among the people, how the 12 apostles, after the descent of the Holy Spirit on them, spoke in different languages, including the language of the Cretans (). Saint Titus received Baptism from and became his closest disciple. He accompanied the Apostle Paul on his missionary travels, repeatedly carried out his assignments concerning the newly established Churches, and was with him in Jerusalem. Saint Titus was numbered among the 70 apostles and ordained Bishop of Crete by the Apostle Paul. Around the year 65, shortly before his second imprisonment, the Apostle Paul sent a pastoral letter to his chosen one (). When the Apostle Paul was brought to Rome as a prisoner for the trial of Caesar, Saint Titus temporarily left his Cretan flock and went to Rome to serve his spiritual father. After the martyrdom of the Apostle Paul, the Apostle Titus returned to the main city of Britt - Gortyna.
The Apostle Titus wisely governed his flock and worked to enlighten the pagans with the light of the faith of Christ. He was given the gift of miracles from the Lord. During one of the pagan holidays in honor of the goddess Diana, Titus preached to the pagans gathered in large numbers. When he saw that they were not listening to him, he prayed to the Lord, so that the Lord Himself would show erring people the insignificance of idols. Through the prayer of the Apostle Titus, the idol of Diana fell and broke in front of everyone. Another time, the Apostle Titus prayed that the Lord would not allow the construction of a pagan temple in honor of Zeus to be completed, and it would collapse. With such miracles, the Apostle Titus led many to faith in Christ. Having enlightened the surrounding countries with the light of faith, the Apostle Titus died peacefully at the ripe old age of 94 years. Before his death, his face shone like the sun.
Hello, dear TV viewers! Today, September 7, the Orthodox Church commemorates the apostle Titus of 70, Bishop of Crete.
The apostle Titus from the age of 70 was a native of the island of Crete, the son of noble pagans. In his youth, he carefully studied Hellenic philosophy and ancient poets. While studying science, Titus led a virtuous life, not indulging in the vices and passions characteristic of most pagans. He observed virginity, as the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer testified about him.
For such a life, the Lord did not leave him without His help. At the age of twenty, Saint Titus heard a voice in a dream, urging him to abandon Hellenic wisdom, which did not give salvation to the soul, but to seek that which saves.
After this dream, Saint Titus waited another year to see if he would receive another similar command, and indeed, he was instructed to familiarize himself with the teaching of God’s prophets. The first thing he happened to read was the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Having opened it at the 47th chapter, he was amazed by the words spoken as if about his own spiritual state.
When rumors reached Crete about the Great Prophet who had appeared in Palestine and about the miracles he performed, the ruler of the island of Crete, Titus’ uncle, sent him there. This Prophet was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, incarnate from the Most Holy Virgin Mary and coming into the world to redeem the human race from the original sin that weighed on it.
Saint Titus in Jerusalem saw the Lord, listened to His preaching and believed in Him. He witnessed the suffering of the Cross and the death of the Savior, His glorious Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. On the day of Pentecost, the future apostle heard, standing among the people, how the twelve apostles, after the descent of the Holy Spirit on them, spoke in different languages, including the language of the Cretans (see Acts 2:11).
Saint Titus received Baptism from the Apostle Paul and became his closest disciple. He accompanied the Apostle Paul on his missionary travels, repeatedly carried out his assignments concerning the newly established Churches, and was with him in Jerusalem. Saint Titus was numbered among the 70 apostles and ordained Bishop of Crete by the Apostle Paul. Around the year 65, shortly before his second imprisonment, the Apostle Paul sent a pastoral letter to his chosen one (Titus 1-3).
When the Apostle Paul was brought to Rome as a prisoner for the trial of Caesar, Saint Titus temporarily left his Cretan flock and went to Rome to serve his spiritual father. After the martyrdom of the Apostle Paul, the Apostle Titus returned to the main city of Crete - Gortyna.
The Apostle Titus wisely governed his flock and worked to enlighten the pagans with the light of the faith of Christ. He was given the gift of miracles from the Lord. During one of the pagan holidays in honor of the goddess Diana, Titus preached to the pagans gathered in large numbers. When he saw that they were not listening to him, he prayed to the Lord, so that the Lord Himself would show erring people the insignificance of idols. Through the prayer of the Apostle Titus, the idol of Diana fell and broke in front of everyone.
Another time, the Apostle Titus prayed that the Lord would not allow the construction of a pagan temple in honor of Zeus to be completed, and it would collapse. With such miracles, the Apostle Titus led many to faith in Christ.
Having enlightened the surrounding countries with the light of faith, the Apostle Titus died peacefully at the ripe old age of ninety-four. Before his death, his face shone like the sun.
Dear brothers and sisters, today we also celebrate:
and the memory of the saints:
svtt. Barsis and Eulogius, bishops of Edessa, and Protogen, bishop. Carriy;
St. Mina, Patriarch of Constantinople;
new martyrs and confessors of Russia: martyr. Moses Kozhin, sschmch. Vladimir Moshchansky presbyter.
I heartily and warmly congratulate everyone who bears these holy names on their namesake day! I wish you well from the Lord spiritual peace, physical health and all-powerful help in all good deeds and good undertakings through the prayers of your heavenly patrons. Be protected by God! Many happy summers to you!
Hieromonk Dimitri (Samoilov)
Crete has a mountainous terrain. The highest peak is Timios Stavros, which means Holy Cross. The mountain rises two and a half thousand meters above sea level. There are other mountains. They have steep slopes and are deeply dissected by gorges. There are many caves in Crete.
The entire territory of Crete has a temperate Mediterranean climate. This means that winters are rainy and summers are hot and dry. Although there are slight differences between the coastal and mountainous areas. Sometimes winter in the mountainous part of the island can be accompanied by heavy snowfalls - such that on the tops of the mountains the snow does not melt until June.
Crete is one of the most popular European resorts.
The island has a rich history. In ancient times, Crete was the center of the Minoan civilization. It flourished on the island from approximately 2600 to 1400 BC. The Minoan civilization is considered the oldest in Europe. This civilization is named after King Minos, who kept the Minotaur in the labyrinth built by the legendary Daedalus. But this, of course, is a myth. But the end of Minoan culture was real and very tragic. Around the middle of the second millennium BC, the Santorini volcano erupted on the island of Thira, located 130 kilometers north of Crete. As a result of an explosion with a power of approximately 200 two hundred thousand "Hiroshima", several tens of cubic kilometers of rock were released, volcanic ash covered all the fields in Crete and put an end to agriculture, and coastal cities and villages were washed away by a giant tsunami wave. Before the eruption of the Santorini volcano, about a million people lived on Crete. Thus, the population of Crete has not yet reached the size it was before the disaster.
The first millennium BC is the time of domination of Dorian culture in Crete. Shortly before the coming of the Savior to the world, Crete found itself in the power of the Romans and became part of the province of Crete and Cyrenaica.
As we see, the history of Crete is rich in heroic and tragic events, but the history of Christianity on this island is of particular interest to us.
The news of Christ sounded in Crete already in the first century and it is associated with the name of Titus, an apostle from seventy years old, a disciple of the Apostle Paul. The exact time of Titus's conversion to Christ is unknown, but already in 49 he accompanies Paul and Barnabas to the Apostolic Council in Jerusalem. From the Holy Scriptures we know that Titus carries out the instructions of his mentor, strengthening the local churches in the faith. After his release from the first Roman bonds, Paul appoints Titus as Bishop of Crete. And after this, the Apostle of Languages did not leave his disciple and supported him: the books of the New Testament include the letter of the Apostle Paul to Titus. “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy in their bellies,” the Apostle Paul reminds Titus in his letter. And then he teaches what should be done. The Apostle Titus fulfilled his assignment, founded nine dioceses on Crete, died at a very old age and was buried in the city of Gortyna (then the administrative center of the island). In the 6th century, a majestic basilica was erected in honor of the first bishop and patron of Crete, the Apostle Titus. His holy relics were kept here. After the devastation of the island by the Saracens in the 9th century, only one chapter remained of the relics of the Apostle Titus, kept in the new capital of the island - Heraklion, in the temple named after him.
The Primate of the Cretan Church bore the title of archbishop. During the Byzantine period, from 12 to 20 bishops were subordinate to him.
Speaking about the saints of Crete, it is necessary to mention Andrew, one of the outstanding church hymnographers, the author of the Great Penitential Canon. During the reign of Emperor Justinian II, he was ordained archbishop of the city of Gortyn. The sermons of Andrei Kritsky are distinguished by high style and harmonious phrases, which allows us to speak of him as one of the outstanding church speakers of the Byzantine era. Saint Andrew led the Cretan Church until his death in 740.
In 767, under Emperor Constantine Copronymus, a separate theme (military administrative district) of Crete was formed as part of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium). However, Arab expansion had already begun, and soon, in 824, the island was captured by Muslims and the Emirate of Crete was formed.
The 135-year period of Arab rule became a difficult test for the Cretan Church.
The Cretan Emirate existed until 961, when the talented commander Nikephoros Phocas, the future emperor, returned the island to Byzantium.
After the expulsion of the Arabs from Crete by the Byzantine military leader Nikephoros Phocas, a second period of heyday of political and religious life began on the island.
As a result of the Fourth Crusade, which ended in disaster for Byzantium, Crete was initially allocated to Boniface of Montferrat. But Boniface, being unable to govern the island, sold it to Venice for a thousand silver marks. Also in 1204, Crete was conquered by Genoa, but in 1205 Venetian troops occupied the island, and for several centuries it was under Venetian control.
With the beginning of Venetian rule, the most difficult times came for Orthodoxy. The Venetian authorities supplied Latin bishops. Orthodox archbishops were forced to live outside of Crete. Orthodoxy in Crete in these difficult times is supported by numerous Orthodox monasteries, active abbots and learned monks, as well as the clergy of cities and villages.
In the 17th century, Muslims renewed their attempts to capture the island. The last Venetian fortresses capitulated in 1715. The island falls under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Until the end of the 19th century, the vilayet of Crete existed. During this period the Church received relative freedom.
A new period in the history of the Cretan Church begins after the liberation of the island and the proclamation of an independent Cretan state in 1898. In 1908, the island de facto became part of the Greek Kingdom, and formal annexation took place five years later. However, the Cretan Church did not become part of the Greek Church, but remained under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
In 1962, the dioceses of the Church of Crete were elevated to metropolitan status, and in 1965 the Church received semi-autonomy. The Archdiocese of Crete includes eight metropolitanates. Since February 28, 1967, the primates of the Cretan Church have held the title of archbishop. In the Churches of the Greek tradition, the rank of archbishop is higher than the rank of metropolitan.
The Cretan Church owns a number of church educational institutions: the Higher Church School in Heraklion and the Orthodox Academy of Crete, as well as a seminary in Chania. The Cretan Church publishes the magazine “Apostle Titus”.
The current head of the Church of Crete is 82-year-old Archbishop Irenaeus (Athanasiadis), who was elected to this post in 2006.
Now there are about 700 temples, monasteries and chapels on the island of Crete. Of the hundred existing monasteries, twenty-five are active. In the women's monks there are many nuns, up to sixty people, and in the men's monks there are few - only three or four people. The oldest temples on Crete have survived from the Byzantine Empire. Temples and monasteries were built, destroyed by enemies and natural disasters, restored and built again. Numerous shrines are scattered throughout the island.
A significant part of the shrines of Crete is located in Heraklion. Let's start with the cathedral of the Cretan Archdiocese, named after the Holy Apostle Titus. It was built by order of Nikephoros Phocas, who liberated the island from the Saracens, to replace the temple in Gortyn destroyed by Muslims. During the period of Venetian rule, the cathedral was the cathedral church of the Catholic archbishop. During Turkish rule, the temple building was converted into a mosque. After the Turkish minority left Crete in 1923, the cathedral was again consecrated as an Orthodox church, and the minaret was converted into a bell tower. The fact that the temple passed from hand to hand determined the uniqueness of its architecture. In 1966, the head of St. Titus the Apostle, taken to Italy shortly before the conquest of the town by the Turks, was returned from Venice to Crete. Currently, the relics of the apostle are kept in the cathedral to the left of the entrance.
Let's note the Cathedral of St. Menas, standing on St. Catherine's Square. Mina was from Egypt, served in the Roman army and suffered for Christ during the persecution of Diocletian. Subsequently, he appeared in different areas as a horseman and saved people. In 1735, a small church was built in the name of this saint. When, as a result of the struggle of the Greek people for independence, the Turks pursued a policy of terror against Christians, a miraculous event occurred. One day in 1826, the Turks were going to destroy the Christians who had gathered in the square in front of the temple, but a rider appeared on a white horse and ordered the Turks to disperse. The Turks obeyed, mistaking the rider for a Turkish officer, but it later turned out that it was someone else. Christians believed that it was Saint Mina who saved them. Since then, the Egyptian, a former Roman officer, became the patron saint of the city of Heraklion. In gratitude to the saint, a cathedral was built and consecrated in 1895. The patronage of the saint also manifested itself in the 20th century during the Second World War, when the Germans and Italians carried out an operation to capture Greece. On May 23, 1941, a bomb that fell on the roof of the cathedral did not explode. In memory of this event, a model of this bomb is located near the northern wall of the cathedral.
Next to the Cathedral of St. Menas there is a temple in honor of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine. It was built in 1555 and is an example of a mixture of Byzantine and Venetian architecture. In the middle of the 16th century, the church was the courtyard of the Sinai Monastery of St. Catherine. During the Turkish invasion, the temple was converted into a mosque. Currently, the temple houses a museum collection of church art, storing icons and frescoes of Michael Damaskinos, an outstanding representative of the Cretan school of icon painting.
There are shrines not only in the capital of the island, but also in its surroundings. 20 kilometers south of Heraklion is the convent of Panagia Paliani. This is one of the oldest monasteries on the island. The object of interest for pilgrims is the myrtle tree growing on the territory of the monastery. According to legend, an icon of the Mother of God is hidden in its branches, which only the righteous can see, and prayer in front of the myrtle tree heals women from infertility.
Another convent in the region of Heraklion, “Panagia Kaliviani”, is located in the town of Messara. During the Byzantine Empire, this monastery was for men. Since the 14th century, a temple dedicated to the miraculous image of the Most Holy Theotokos “Life-Giving Source” has been preserved here. This icon is revered in the monastery as the main shrine. The relics of martyred monks who suffered for their faith during the time of Turkish rule were found in the monastery. The relics were walled up in the wall of the monastery chapel. The miracles performed by the relics of the martyrs are carefully recorded by the sisters of the monastery. There are currently about 50 nuns in the monastery. The monastery traditionally engages in charity work. The nuns care for a girls' shelter and a women's nursing home.
30 kilometers south of the capital of the island is the monastery of St. George. It was founded in 1614 by order of the Great Martyr George. The saint appeared in a vision to the future founder of the monastery - monk Paisius - and instructed him to build a monastery on this site. Three times in its history the monastery was destroyed, but was rebuilt. In the altar of the monastery cathedral of the Great Martyr George the Victorious, part of his holy relics and particles of the relics of the Great Martyr Healer Panteleimon, Saints Catherine, Anastasia the Pattern Maker and the Martyr Tryphon are kept. History has preserved evidence of a miracle that occurred through prayers to St. George. During the drought, a source of water emerged from the ground here, which has not become scarce to this day. The monastery served as a refuge for many Cretans during the Turkish rule and German occupation. A history museum has been created in the monastery, which contains unique exhibits - personal belongings of monks, ancient books and vestments.
The region of Lasithi is located in the east of the island. The convent of Kera Kardiotissa is located here. The beginning of its history dates back to the 13th century. The church, decorated with frescoes and icons, has survived to this day. The main shrine is the icon of the Mother of God, which holds a baby in her left hand, which is why it is called Cardiotissa (Heart). The history of this shrine is interesting. The Turks, who ruled Crete for a long time, took this icon to Constantinople three times, but it miraculously returned. Then they chained her to a marble column, and she again appeared in the monastery along with the column and chain. The column stands in the courtyard, and the chain is located near the icon, on the iconostasis.
In the Lasithi region there is the Toplu Monastery. Its other name is the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Akrotiriani”. The monastery has a museum of icons, storing the works of icon painters of the 16th–18th centuries.
To the west of Heraklion is the region of Rethymni. Among the shrines of this region, we note the Arcadia Monastery. There are different points of view on the origin of this name: it is the name of either the founder of the monastery, or the emperor during whose reign the monastery was founded. This shrine of Crete is a true symbol of freedom, since in the 19th century the monastery played an important role in the uprising against the Ottoman Empire. Now the monastery, whose architecture includes Baroque elements, is a quiet, peaceful place. You can get an insight into the complex history of the temple in the museum, which has preserved valuable relics and ancient icons.
The ancient shrine of this area is the Preveli Monastery. This monastery is stauropegial and is subordinated directly to the Patriarch of Constantinople. Its history dates back to the 14th century. The monastery consists of two parts. The lower part is dedicated to John the Baptist and is currently turned into a museum. The top one is to the Apostle John the Theologian. On the territory of the monastery there is a holy spring that quenches the thirst of the monks and guests of the monastery. One of the main shrines of the monastery is a cross brought by Abbot Ephraim Prevelis from Constantinople in the 18th century. Historical documents describe many miracles from the shrine. For example, when the Germans occupied Crete in 1941, they plundered the monastery. They also took away the cross. They decided to send it to Athens by plane and sell it there, but the plane could not take off. Then the cross was transferred to another plane, but it did not take off. The Germans realized that the cross had miraculous powers, they got scared and returned it to the monastery.
The westernmost part of Crete is the region of Chania. 15 km from the administrative center of the nome on the Akrotiri peninsula is the stauropegic monastery of the Holy Trinity. It was built in 1632 by Venetian Orthodox monks Lawrence and Jeremiah. Its architecture combines Doric and Renaissance styles. It is noteworthy that it was the only monastery that operated freely during Turkish rule, since it could afford to pay tribute. A theological seminary has been operating here since 1892.
Not far from the Trinity Monastery is the Guverneto Monastery. Its other name is Lady of Angels. The monastery was built in 1537 and looks like a castle with towers that were used to defend against invaders. The appearance of the monastery indicates a strong Venetian influence.
Another notable monastery in this area is the monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Chrysokalitissa”. It is located on a rock, to which a long staircase leads. According to legend, one of the steps of this staircase was golden, which gave the name to the monastery. The date of construction of the monastery is unknown, but judging by the architecture, the temple was built in Venetian times.
The story about monasteries, temples and other shrines of Crete can be continued for a very long time. They are clear evidence of how and under what conditions Christianity carried out its saving mission over two millennia.
Evgeniy CHETVERYAKOV
Photo by Metropolitan Tikhon
He was converted to Christianity by the holy Apostle Paul, who calls him “a true son according to the common faith” (Titus 1:4). A few years later, around 49, they met again in Antioch. Paul took him and Barnabas with him to Jerusalem to report to the apostles on his missionary work among the Gentiles. Convinced by Paul's arguments for liberation from the provisions of the Law, the members of this first Council did not insist on circumcising Titus.
From that time on, he accompanied the apostle on missionary journeys and became one of his closest collaborators. It was Titus who Paul sent to Corinth to carry the First Epistle and explain how the collection of donations for the brethren in Jerusalem should be organized.
After Titus left the city to report to Paul the results of his trip, serious disagreements divided the Christians of Corinth. Paul, who was in Ephesus (c. 55), then handed Titus a letter written “out of great sorrow and troubled heart” (2 Cor. 2: 4) to correct these disorders. Saint Titus was received with fear and trembling as the bearer of apostolic authority. Having restored decorum and love, he again joined the teacher in Macedonia to joyfully report on the obedience shown by the Corinthians (see: 2 Cor. 7:15). And again Paul sends Titus to this city along with two companions, instructing him to convey his Second Epistle to the Corinthians and accept the fruits of their donations.
Titus was with the holy Apostle Paul in Rome during his first imprisonment and accompanied him on his return journey to the East. Having landed on the island of Crete, they preached the Good News together in many cities. Paul, who had to continue his voyage, left Titus to complete the organization of the new Church (c. 63) and for this purpose install a bishop in each city (see: Titus 1: 5-7). Titus encountered strong opposition, especially from the Jews, and wrote to Paul. He, in his answer, encourages Titus to teach everything that is in accordance with “sound doctrine” (Titus 2: 1), and to set an example by his behavior, and “in teaching purity, sobriety, integrity, sound speech, without blame,” so that his opponents , distributors of “Jewish fables... turning away from the truth,” could not say anything bad about the disciples of Christ, being filled with confusion (see: Titus 2: 7–8 and 1: 14).
This letter informed him to be ready to join Paul at Nicopolis (see Titus 3:12). From there, around 65, Titus was sent on a new mission to Dalmatia (see: 2 Tim. 4:10).
After the martyrdom of the Apostle Paul, Titus returned to Crete, which he ruled wisely and with pastoral diligence until he was very old. The holy Apostle Titus rested in peace, and his body was laid in the main church of the city of Gortyn, where his pulpit was located. There he was revered for many centuries as the protector of the Cretan Church.
When the island was liberated from the Arab invaders, the capital was moved to Candia, and a new cathedral was built there in the name of St. Titus. This church remained the main place of pilgrimage in Crete throughout the reign of the Venetians (1210–1669). Expelled from the island by the Turks, they took with them the head of the Apostle Titus and placed it in the church of San Marco. This precious relic was returned to the Cretan Church on May 12, 1966.
According to another church tradition, the Apostle Titus was a distant descendant of the Cretan king Minos and from his youth showed a keen interest in pagan sciences. When he was 20 years old, he heard a voice from heaven say to him: “Titus, you must leave this place and go to Jerusalem to find the salvation of your soul, because pagan wisdom cannot bring anything useful.” Fearing, however, that this voice might come from demons in order to plunge him into obsession, he continued to study pagan sciences. After nine years had passed, he had a new vision, during which he was commanded to read the books of the Jews. Titus opened the book of Isaiah and saw these words: “Renew yourselves to me, O islands. Israel is saved by the Lord with eternal salvation” (Isa. 45: 16–17).
The proconsul and governor of Crete, who was Titus' uncle, heard the miracles performed by Jesus in Jerusalem and throughout Palestine being praised. Then he decided, after consulting with the nobility of the island, to send his nephew to these parts in order to obtain more complete information about this. Arriving in Jerusalem, Titus saw the Lord and the miracles that He performed, and witnessed His life-giving Passion, His Resurrection and His Ascension. He was even, according to legend, among the disciples on whom the Holy Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost.
Titus was ordained a presbyter by the apostles and sent on an errand along with the Apostle Paul. They came together to Antioch, then to the region of Seleucia and from there to Cyprus. From Salamis they went to Perga in Pamphylia, Antioch of Pisidia and Iconium (see: Acts 13: 4-6, 13-14, 51), then continued preaching in Lystra and Derbe, enduring persecution and ill-treatment during all missionary travels .
Arriving in Crete, they were received by the ruler of the island, Rustil, who was Titus' brother-in-law. He tried to convince them not to preach against the pagan gods, but to no avail. A short time later, Saint Paul resurrected the magistrate's son, who had just died, through prayer. From that time on, Rustill honored the missionaries, showed them respect and allowed them to spread the Good News on the island.
But three months later Rustil was summoned to Rome and appointed consul. Then the Jews began to annoy the nascent Christian community with empty, false speeches, without daring, however, to speak directly against the apostles, who were under the protection of a high-ranking official.
After leaving the island of Crete to go to Ephesus, where a large number of pagans were converted, Paul sent Titus, Timothy and Erastus to Corinth. Titus helped the great apostle until his death.
Then he took part in establishing missionary activities in Greece and Colossae, after which he went home to continue preaching the Gospel. Titus was received with jubilation by the inhabitants of Crete, but soon learned that they had retained pagan customs. Then the apostle threw the statue of Artemis to the ground in the name of Jesus Christ. In the face of this miracle, more than five hundred pagans cried out: “Great is the God whom Titus preaches!” - and believed in Christ. Saint Titus, having established the seat of the episcopal see in Gortyn, appointed nine new bishops for the main cities of Crete. He affirmed the true faith both by word and by miracles.
When the apostle turned 94 years old, his hour of death approached. The bishop's home was suddenly filled with an incense cloud, and many angels appeared to help him. With a face shining like the sun, Saint Titus gave up his spirit to God, uttering the following words: “Lord, I have kept the faith and established Your people in Your fear. Receive my spirit now!” When his body, in white vestments, was carried to burial, the pagan temples collapsed. Subsequently, many possessed people were healed at his grave.
Compiled by Hieromonk Macarius of Simonopetra,
adapted Russian translation - Sretensky Monastery Publishing House
Saint Titus comes from the island of Crete, from a rich and noble family. Being the only son, he received an excellent education for that time. But although he was brought up in the spirit of paganism
And he was a supporter of idolatry in his early youth, Saint Titus retained spiritual and physical purity.
When Titus was twenty years old, he heard a voice from above, calling him to leave these places in search of the salvation of his soul. This vision struck the young man so much that he began to seek for himself the answer to the question of the existence and knowledge of the True God. Saint Titus is keen on reading the holy scriptures, and the book of the Holy Prophet Isaiah became a revelation for the young man, as if God Himself were speaking to his heart: “Thou art my servant, and I have not left thee. Do not be afraid, for I am you, do not be deceived by pagan polytheism/ “For I am your God.” These words and others became for Saint Titus the key to the knowledge of the One True God and the understanding of the errors of paganism. He was inflamed with all his heart towards God.
At this time, on the island of Crete, where Titus lived, rumors spread about Christ, God, who appeared in the flesh and lived among people in Jerusalem. Titus goes to Jerusalem, where he saw Christ, and subsequently followed Him and His disciples. Titus witnessed many of Christ’s miracles, saw the saving suffering of the Lord, and was convinced of His resurrection.
Saint Titus took part in the apostolic ministry; when the door of faith was open to the pagans. Saint Titus, coming from uncircumcised pagans, received baptism from the Holy Apostle Paul “Neither Titus, who was with me, the Hellenic, needed to be circumcised.” After baptism, Saint Titus was authorized to serve as an apostle and was numbered among the 70 lesser apostles. Saint Titus walked with the Apostle Paul, who loved Titus as a son, nourishing him with great spiritual love for Christ. Having passed through many countries, the Holy Apostles came to the island of Crete. Saint Paul left Saint Titus for episcopal service on his native island of Crete. Saint Chrysostom wrote this about Saint Titus: “Titus was the most skillful of all those who were with Paul; for if he had not been skillful, Paul would not have entrusted the whole island to him, would not have commanded him to finish what was not finished, would not have subjected his bishops to the court, if he had not trusted in this man (Titus). While performing his episcopal service, Titus, with his oratorical abilities and miracles, converted many pagans to Christ. Especially many of them turned to the true faith after the Saint, passing by the idol temple, prayed, and the temple fell and collapsed to the ground. Having learned that the Apostle Paul was sent in chains to Rome, Saint Titus went there to be present at the suffering feat of his teacher. Having buried Saint Apostle Paul, Saint Titus returned to the island of Crete, continuing to bring people the light of the faith of Christ. The Saint died at the age of 94.
