Apostle Titus
| Titus | |
|---|---|
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| Bishop and Martyr | |
| Born | 1st century AD |
| Died | 96 or 107 AD Gortyn, Crete |
| Venerated in |
Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Eastern Catholic Churches Lutheranism Anglican Communion |
| Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
| Major shrine | Heraklion, Crete |
| Feast | August 25 (Eastern Orthodox Liturgical Calendar) January 26 (General Roman Calendar) |
| Patronage | Crete |
Titus (/ˈtaɪtəs/; Greek: Τίτος) was an early Christian missionary and Church leader, a companion and disciple of Paul the Apostle, mentioned in several of the Pauline epistles including the Epistle to Titus. He is believed to be a Gentile converted to Christianity by Paul and, according to tradition, he was consecrated as Bishop of the Island of Crete. Titus brought a fundraising letter from Paul to Corinth, to collect for the poor in Jerusalem. Later, on Crete, Titus appointed presbyters (elders) in every city and remained there into his old age, dying in Gortyna, near the city of Candia (modern Heraklion).
Titus was a Greek, apparently from Antioch, who is said to have studied Greek philosophy and poetry in his early years. He seems to have been converted by Paul, whereupon he served as Paul's secretary and interpreter. In the year 49, Titus accompanied Paul to the council held at Jerusalem, on the subject of the Mosaic rites. Although the apostle had consented to the circumcision of Timothy, in order to render his ministry acceptable among the Jews, he would not allow the same in regard to Titus, so as not to seem in agreement with those who would require it for Gentile converts.
Towards the close of the year 56, Paul, as he himself departed from Asia, sent Titus from Ephesus to Corinth, with full commission to remedy the fallout precipitated by Timothy's delivery of 1 Corinthians () and Paul's "Painful Visit" (), particularly a significant personal offense and challenge to Paul's authority by one unnamed individual (). During this journey, Titus served as the courier for what is commonly known as the "Severe Letter," a Pauline missive that has been lost but is referred to in 2 Corinthians (). After meeting success on this mission, Titus journeyed north and met Paul in Macedonia, where the apostle, overjoyed by Titus' success (), wrote 2 Corinthians. Titus then returned to Corinth with a larger entourage, carrying 2 Corinthians with him. Paul joined Titus in Corinth later. From Corinth, Paul then sent Titus to organize the collections of alms for the Christians at Jerusalem. Titus was therefore a troubleshooter, peacemaker, administrator, and missionary.
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