By Bishop Grigorios of Mesaoria
Today the Church commemorates the Wonderworking Unmercenaries, Saints Cyrus and John, and Neo-Martyr Elias Ardounis.
The case of the Neo-martyr is a proof that the Church, as the living ark of salvation, has never ceased and will never cease to give birth to Saints. Those who believe that holiness is a phenomenon that derives exclusively from the early centuries of Christianity are mistaken. Live examples are the recent canonization of our Holy Fathers Paisios of Mount Athos, Porphyrios of Kafsokalivia, Iakovos (Jacob) Tsalikis and Amfilochios Makris.
Saint Elias came from Kalamata and lived during the Turkish occupation. He was engaged in the barber profession and was highly esteemed by his fellow citizens. In a moment of frivolity he renounced his faith and became a Muslim.
However, he soon realized his faux pas and fled to Mount Athos, where he became a monk and lived there for eight years. Motivated by a great desire to correct his mistake, the neo-martyr Elias returned to Kalamata and, in front of the Turkish conquerors, renounced Islam and professed his faith in Christ.
When a Muslim renounces Islam this condemns him to death. But neither the gruesome torture nor the sword were capable of changing his mind.
He died as a martyr in the year 1686. His sacred relic as well as his habit did not decay, despite the fact that the Hagrites had set it on fire.
Source: Church of Cyprus