Theotimus, Saint

THEOTIMUS, Saint. - Bishop of Tomi in Scythia, between the end of the 4th century and the beginning of the 5th century.

He worked hard for the conversion of the Huns and the Goths settled in the regions of the Ister. His apostolic activity was often accompanied by prodigies, so much so that the barbarians used to call him "the god of the Romans." To win them to the faith, T. often went among them or received them in his house, inviting them to lunch and giving them rich gifts. His apostolate was also greatly aided by the ascendancy of his philosopher's appearance, since he wore long hair. He was, however, also quite learned: St. Jerome, writing in 392 his De Viris illustribus (c. 131), testified that T. had composed some short works in dialogue form and that he was composing others. In 403, when St. Epiphanius, urged on by Theophilus of Alexandria, went to Constantinople to have the works of Origen condemned there, T. was also present; but he absolutely refused to subscribe to the condemnation, affirming that it was not fitting to rage against a dead man whose works were read and approved by many as orthodox. To confirm his observations, T. then read some passages from a writing of Origen that he had brought with him. The time of his death is unknown; in the Roman Martyrology, where he was inserted by Baronius, he is commemorated on April 20.

Agostino Amore