Passio, auctore Symeone Metaphrasta
Standard abbreviation: Hypom. Tim.
Other titles: none
Clavis numbers: ECCA 928; CANT 296 and 297
Category: Hagiography
Related literature: Acts of Timothy
Compiled by: Tony Burke, York University
Citing this resource (using Chicago Manual of Style): Burke, Tony. “Hypomnema on Timothy by Symeon Metaphrastes.” e-Clavis: Christian Apocrypha. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR. https://www.nasscal.com/e-clavis-christian-apocrypha/hypomnema-on-timothy-by-symeon-metaphrastes/
Created October 2022. Currents as of January 2024.
1. SUMMARY
The Hypomnema of Timothy expands the account of Timothy’s life and martyrdom from the Acts of Timothy (or its source material; the extant Acts Tim. may be an epitome). Timothy was born into a praetorian family in Lystra. His father was a gentile, but his grandmother (Lois) is said to be a “pious woman,” and his mother (Eunice) a Jew. When he reached adulthood he met Paul and joined him, along with Barnabas, on his journeys (as in Acts 16:1–5). He became a beloved companion to Paul; the author describes his role as an intermediary between Paul and the church of Corinth (as described in 1 Corinthians) and co-author of several epistles (Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians). Based on 1 Tim 5:23, the author adds the detail that Timothy had “frequent ailments” and a “weak stomach.”
The discussion then turns to the apostle John; here the author begins to draw directly on Acts Tim. Timothy comes into contact with the apostle after Peter and Paul are martyred under the reign of Nero. John is shipwrecked on Ephesus and assumed leadership of the city’s Christian community. There disciples of the apostles and evangelists bring John accounts of Jesus’ activities written in a variety of languages; these seem to be the canonical Gospels, though only Matthew and Luke are mentioned by name. John then composes his own account, filling in details missing in the others (appeal is made here to Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 3.24). Under the reign of Domition, John is exiled to the island of Patmos and Timothy assumes leadership.
The author then recounts Timothy’s martyrdom during the pagan festival Katagogia and his burial outside the city in a place called Pion (again drawing on Acts Tim.). Centuries later, Timothy’s body is removed to Constantinople to the Church of the Apostles (as told in certain Acts Tim. manuscripts); the author describes the building of the church under Constantius I and its subsequent renovation under Justinian (6th cent.). Under the reign of Nerva John returns from exile to Ephesus and becomes bishop.
Named historical figures and characters: Andrew (apostle), Artemius (of Antioch), Barnabas, Constantine (emperor), Constantius II (emperor), Domitian, Eunice (mother of Timothy), Eusebius, Holy Spirit, Irenaeus of Lyon, Jesus Christ, John (evangelist), John (the Baptist), Justinian (emperor), Lois (grandmother of Timothy), Luke (evangelist), Matthew (apostle), Nero, Nerva, Paul (apostle), Peter (apostle), Timothy, Trajan (emperor).
Geographical locations: Church of the Holy Apostles, Constantinople, Corinth, Cyclades, Derbe, Ephesus, Iconium, Lycaonia, Lystria, Patmos, Pion (Ephesus), Pontus.
2. RESOURCES
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
3.1 Manuscripts and Editions
3.1.1 Greek
3.1.1.1 BHG 1848; see Pinakes for a list of additional manuscripts
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, gr. 1457, fols. 59r–64r (11th cent.) ~ Pinakes; Gallica
Bolland, Jean et al., eds. Acta Sanctorum, Ianuarii. Vol. 2. Antwerp: P. Jacobs 1643 (pp. 567–69); 3rd ed. Paris: V. Palmé, 1863 (Latin translation based on unidentified source [perhaps from Surius], vol. 3, pp. 181–83).
Migne, Jacques-Paul. Patrologiae cursus completus: Series graeca. Vol. 114. Paris: Cerf, 1903 (Greek text drawing on Paris, BNF 1457 with facing Latin translation from Acta Sanctorum, cols. 761–73).
Lippomano, Luigi (Aloisius Lipomanus). Sanctorum priscorum patrum vitae numero centum sexagintatres, per gravissimos et probatissimos auctores conscripta. 8 vols. Rome: ex Officina Salviana and Venice: ad Signum Spei, 1551–1560 (Latin text, vol. 2, beginning on p. 83r).
Surius, Laurentius. De probatis Sanctorum historiis: partim ex tomis Aloysii Lipomani . . . 6 vols. Cologne: Calenius and Quentel, 1570–1575 (Latin translation, vol. 1, pp. 501–504).
3.1.1.2 BHG 1848b; CANT 297 (the Walters “Imperial” Menologion) ~ a recension of the text that shortens chs. 4–5 (references to Timothy in the Pauline epistles) and replaces ch. 13 (John’s return to Ephesus) with a prayer for the emperor
Baltimore, Walters Art Museum, W.521, fol. 203v–207r (11th cent.) ~ Pinakes; Walters; LOC
Halkin, François. Le ménologe impérial de Baltimore. Subsidia Hagiographica 69. Brussels: Société des Bollandistes, 1985 (Greek text from Baltimore W.521, pp. 345–51).
3.2 Modern Translations
3.3 General Works
Lipsius, Richard A. Die Apokryphen Apostelgeschichten und Apostellegenden. Ein Beitrag zur altchristlichen Literaturgeschichte. 2 vols. Braunschweig: Schwetschke, 1883–1887 (see vol. 2.2, pp. 387–88).
Zamagni, Claudio. “Passion (ou Actes) de Timothée. Étude des traditions anciennes et édition de la forme BHG 1487.” Pages 341–75 in Poussières de christianisme et de judaïsme antiques. Études réunies en l’honneur de Jean-Daniel Kaestli et Éric Junod. Edited by Albert Frey and Rémi Gounelle. Prahins: Publications de l’Institut Romand des Sciences Bibliques, 2007. Reprinted in Claudio Zamagni, Recherches sur le Nouveau Testament et les apocryphes chrétiens. Rimini: GuaraliLAB, 2017 (see pp. 342–43).