Crete and Titus - Complete the Work

Sometime after his third missionary journey,  c. 67 the Apostle Paul wrote to give Titus a missionary task.

"The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you." Titus 1:5

I don't know about you, but when I get instructions from my boss at work, I don't honestly think in terms of 10 years, let alone 2,000. And yet, when we visited the island of Crete this summer, there was lasting evidence that Titus followed through with diligence.

In the port of city of Heraklion, this beautiful church is a few blocks up from the shore of the Aegean Sea. We arrived just after Sunday services and this father lingered with his young son, echoing Titus 2:6-8

"Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."

So strong was the imprint of Titus' leadership that the Christian community on Crete survived not only time, but centuries of occupation and disruption by the Venetians and Turks before again joining Greece. 

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Some of Titus' remains are still kept in this small chapel of the church in Heraklion. It is a rather humble room compared to Europe's grand basilicas and even his mentor Paul's tomb in Rome. I enjoyed this moment and took my photo, pausing for church goers who came in to touch the reliquary and icon with respect for the hometown ancestor of Crete's Christian community. Paul himself had fondly prefaced his instructions to Titus:  

"To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. "

As our ship departed Crete, I watched until I could no longer see it on the horizon. So amazing to me how these early pioneers of our faith navigated nations, seas and souls.

Titus 3:4
"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy."

What do you believe?