The Church honors Apostle Titus, who was a close companion and disciple of Paul the Apostle. He was appointed as the first bishop of Crete in AD 62 or 63.
Saint Paul’s Epistle to Titus, believed to be written by Saint Paul, was a directive to Titus to establish and organize the Church in Crete. This epistle sheds light on Apostle Titus’s significant role in spreading the Gospel on the island, alongside notable companions like Apollos and Zenas the Lawyer. Mentions of Apostle Titus can also be found in the Epistle to Timothy, suggesting his presence in Dalmatia without further explanation.
Apostle Titus, who was well-educated, initially witnessed the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus in Jerusalem. He later followed the path of Saint Paul to Crete, where he led the Church and established nine dioceses.
He passed away at the age of 94 around 105 AD in Crete. His revered skull was initially located in Heraklion until September 1669 when it was transferred to Venice following the Fall of Constantinople along with other sacred relics.
The Holy Skull of Apostle Titus was ceremoniously returned to Heraklion on May 15, 1966, during the tenure of Archbishop Evgenios of Crete, from Venice. Heraklion served as the headquarters of the semi-autonomous Church of Crete under the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Source: Church of Cyprus