3rd century
Saints Timothy and Maura
A newly married couple from the Thebaid in Egypt; Timothy, a church reader, refused to hand over the sacred books, and both were crucified.
Biography
Timothy and Maura came from the town of Panapeus in the Thebaid in Egypt. Timothy served as a reader and preacher of the Gospel, and only twenty days after their wedding, pagans denounced him to the governor Arrianus for refusing to hand over his sacred books to be burned.
According to tradition, the governor tortured Timothy severely, and when he could not break him he turned to Maura, who, encouraged by her husband, likewise professed her faith and endured the same torments, singing throughout.
Both were eventually crucified and died nine days later. Saint Maura has been venerated since 1331 as patron of Lefkada, an island that formerly bore her name.