The Church commemorates Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Cyrus and John, who offered everything for free, with love and divine enlightenment for those who suffer.
Saints Cyrus and John lived under the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305). St. Cyrus came from Alexandria and St. John from Edessa, Syria.
When the persecution of Diocletian broke out, Saint Cyrus went to a seaside place in Arabia and, after being tonsured as a monk, settled in this place.
Saint John went to Jerusalem where he heard about the miracles performed by Saint Cyrus. He then went to Alexandria. After learning where Saint Cyrus lived, he found him and stayed with him. The Miracles of Holy Unmercenaries is the encomium written by Saint Sophronius the Sophist, Patriarch of Jerusalem (commemorated on March 11) because the saints healed his eyes.
During the period of persecution, Saint Athanasia, who was a widow, was also arrested, as well as the three daughters of Theodota, Theoctista, and Eudoxia. The news upset Cyrus and John. Cyrus and John, fearing lest these girls, on account of their youth, might, amid torments, rush to encourage them while they were preparing themselves for martyrdom. They too were arrested and brought to the governor. There they boldly and courageously confessed their faith in God. The governor tried in vain to break her fighting spirit by blaming her. She gave courage to her daughters, saying that physical beauty is temporary, while the beauty of the human soul is immortal and eternal. However, her daughters were happy because they were to leave this vain world with her for the love of Christ and never be separated from her. The governor became furious and ordered them to be subjected to dire torture. After the tortures, they beheaded Saints Cyrus and John Saint Athanasia and her daughters in AD 292.
Source: Church of Cyprus
