Saint Timothy (Greek: Τιμόθεος; Timótheos meaning "honoring God ") was a first-century Christian bishop who died about AD 80. Evidence from the New Testament also has him functioning as an apostolic delegate or coadjutor. Born at Lystra, Lycaenia, Timothy was the son of a Greek father and Eunice, a converted Jewess. Timothy is first mentioned in the Bible at the time of St. Paul's second visit to Lystra ( Acts 16:1-2), where Timothy is mentioned as a 'disciple' or 'follower'. St. Paul, having been impressed by his "own son in the faith", arranged that he should become his companion (Acts 16:3), and personally circumcised him because his mother was of the Jewish faith, so that he might be accepted by the Jews. He was ordained (1 Tim 4:14) and went with Paul in his journey through Phrygia, Galatia and Mysia; also to Troas, Philippi, Berea (Acts 17) and Corinth (Acts 18:5). His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, are noted as eminent for their piety and faith, which indicates that they may have also been Christians (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy is praised by Paul for his knowledge of the Scriptures, and is said to have been acquainted with the Scriptures since childhood (2 Timothy 3:15). The Bible gives little information about Timothy's father; however, does indicate that he was a Greek ( Acts 16:1).

When St. Paul was forced to flee Berea because of the enmity of the Jews there, St. Timothy remained, but after a time was sent to Thessalonica to report on the condition of the Christians there and to encourage them under persecution, a report that led to St. Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians when he joined St. Timothy at Corinth. St.Timothy and St. Erastus were sent to Macedonia in 58, went to Corinth to remind the Corinthians of St. Paul's teaching, and then accompanied St. Paul into Macedonia and Achaia. St. Timothy was probably with St. Paul when the Apostle was imprisoned at Caesarea and then Rome, and was himself imprisoned but then freed. According to later tradition, St. Paul ordained St. Timothy as Bishop of Ephesus in the year 65, where he served for 15 years. In the year 80 (though some sources place the event during the year 97, with Timothy dying at age 80), Timothy tried to halt a pagan procession of idols, ceremonies and songs called Katagogian in honor of Diana. In response to his preaching of the Gospel, the angry pagans beat him, dragged him through the streets and stoned him to death. In the 4th century, his relics were transferred to the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.

Paul wrote two letters to Timothy, one written about 65 from Macedonia and the second from Rome while he was in prison awaiting execution. St. Timothy is commemorated on his feast day, January 26, along with St. Titus.

Sources: Catholic Online & Wikipedia