Holy Martyrs Timothy, Agapius, and Thecla — August 19 / September 1 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, August 19 according to the Julian Calendar (September 1 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyrs Timothy, Agapius, and Thecla.

The holy martyrs Timothy, Agapius, and Thecla suffered in the year 304. Saint Timothy was born in the city of Gaza in Palestine, within the province of Caesarea. He studied the Holy Scriptures, and by his preaching he converted many to Christianity. In the years of the persecution of Christians under the emperors Diocletian and Maximian (284–305), the blessed martyr was seized and brought before the tribunal of the governor Urban. The holy martyr was cruelly tortured, and at the last, when his tormentors were convinced that he could not be bent, he was cast into the fire and burned.

In the same city and in the same year, Saints Agapius and Thecla also suffered for Christ: the torturers gave them over to be torn apart by wild beasts.