saint
St. Timothy of Symbola
Sixth-century Bithynian monk who trained under the elder Theoctistus, then founded and led the monastery of Symbola at the foot of Mount Olympus, drawing disciples by the gentleness of his governance.
Life
Timothy was born in the early sixth century in Bithynia and entered monastic life as a young man under the great elder Theoctistus, an abbot in the region of Mount Olympus. He spent many years as a disciple, learning the discipline of unceasing prayer and obedience, and after Theoctistus's repose was eventually called to found his own monastery.
His foundation was at Symbola at the foot of Mount Olympus, a place chosen for its solitude and the abundance of springs. The community that gathered around Timothy followed the Constantinopolitan cenobitic rule but with the added emphasis on hesychasm (silent inner prayer) that the Bithynian fathers had developed under the influence of the Sinai tradition. Timothy was credited with the gift of prophecy and was widely consulted by pilgrims and clergy of his region.
He died in peace in extreme old age, around 595. His feast falls on February 21.
Traditions
Feast day
February 21
Topics
Works in library