by Bishop Gregory of Mesaoria
On Saturday, July 13, the Church of Cyprus celebrates the Synaxis of Archangel Gabriel, and commemorates St. Stephen Savvaites and the Saints of Cyprus Heliophotos, Ammonios, Houlelaios and Efsthenios.
The saints, according to the historical tradition, were among the three hundred saints who came to Cyprus after the Second Crusade.
When their boat was crashed into the waters of Paphos, due to a strong storm, the Saints were scattered on the island and continued their ascetic life in the places they chose to go. This confirms once again that Cyprus was since the earliest Christian centuries overwhelmed by Ascetics and places where the Holy Trinity was worshiped.
After they roamed around the island for a while, the Heliophotoi Saints went up to the Mountain of Koroni, near the village of Kato Moni. There they set up their hermitage in two caves, which they found on the top of the mountain.
One of these ascetics, Heliophotos, was also a priest and spiritual father of the rest. From him, the rest of thm got the name Heliophotoi (plural of Heliophotos), with whom they are also known. Because they confessed their faith in front of the sovereign of the island, Sabinos, who ordered to whip them mercilessly, they are highly honored in Cyprus.
Source: Church of Cyprus