Byzantine Saints: Apostle Titus of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete (25 August)

About this sermon

On August 25, the Church commemorates St. Titus, Apostle of the Seventy and Bishop of Crete, the beloved disciple and spiritual son of St. Paul the Apostle. Born on Crete into an illustrious pagan family, Titus studied Greek philosophy and the ancient poets while living a virtuous and chaste life. At about twenty years old, he received a mysterious warning directing him away from pagan wisdom and toward the truth capable of saving his soul. He began reading the prophets, especially Isaiah, and eventually traveled to Palestine after hearing reports of the extraordinary Prophet working miracles there—Jesus Christ Himself. According to this tradition, Titus heard Christ preach, witnessed His Passion, Resurrection and Ascension, and was present at Pentecost. He later became one of St. Paul’s closest disciples, accompanied him on missionary journeys, and was appointed Bishop of Crete. St. Paul addressed his pastoral Epistle to Titus to him. After St. Paul’s martyrdom, Titus returned to Crete and continued converting pagans. When he preached during a festival of Diana and the people refused to listen, Titus prayed—and the idol reportedly fell and shattered. On another occasion, his prayer prevented the completion of a temple to Zeus, which collapsed. After decades of apostolic labor, St. Titus died peacefully at approximately 97 years old. At his death, tradition records that his face shone like the sun. Holy Apostle Titus, pray for us! 00:00 St. Titus, Apostle of the Seventy 00:27 Born on the Island of Crete 00:34 Studying Greek Philosophy 00:41 His Virtuous and Chaste Youth 00:49 A Mysterious Voice in a Dream 00:56 Pagan Wisdom Cannot Save the Soul 01:05 Titus Begins Searching for Truth 01:13 Discovering the Prophet Isaiah 01:21 News of Christ Reaches Crete 01:30 Titus Is Sent to Palestine 01:39 Jesus Christ, the Promised Savior 01:46 St. Titus Sees the Lord 01:52 Witness to the Passion & Resurrection 01:59 The Ascension of Christ 02:06 St. Titus at Pentecost 02:14 Disciple of St. Paul 02:21 Missionary Journeys With the Apostle 02:29 Titus Becomes Bishop of Crete 02:36 St. Paul’s Epistle to Titus 02:44 Titus Goes to Rome for St. Paul 02:53 Return to Crete After Paul’s Martyrdom 03:02 The Gift of Wonderworking 03:09 Preaching at the Festival of Diana 03:16 St. Titus Prays Against the Idol 03:23 The Idol of Diana Shatters 03:31 The Temple of Zeus Collapses 03:38 Converting Crete to Christ 03:45 His Face Shines Like the Sun at Death https://www.oca.org/saints/lives 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StTitus #SaintTitus #ApostleTitus #StPaul #ApostleOfTheSeventy #CatholicSaints #OrthodoxSaints #BishopOfCrete #EpistleToTitus #EarlyChurch #Pentecost #ChristianMiracles #SaintOfTheDay #Crete #SensusFidelium