Timothy of Symbola

Venerable Timothy of Symbola was of Italian descent and became a monk at a young age, struggling at the monastery called Symbola, in Bithynia in Asia Minor, near Mount Olympus. The archimandrite of the monastery was then Theoctistus, whose disciple Timothy was, as he was also of Saint Plato of Studion.

As he grew in spiritual perfection, he received from God the gift of healing the sick and casting out unclean spirits. He lived many years as a hermit, roaming the wilderness, the mountains and the forests, offering prayers to the Lord day and night. The synaxarion speaks of his purity from youth, his simplicity, humility and gentleness, judging himself strictly and others kindly. He fell asleep at a great old age, in the year 795, and is commemorated on 21 February.