Our Church commemorates today Martyr Sabinus, Egypt, Julian and Romanos, and Venerable Christodoulos, Wonderworker of Patmos.
Venerable Christodoulos, who was baptized Ioannis, was born in Nicea of Bithynia in Asia Minor during the reign of Emperor King Basil II (976-1025). His devout parents wanted him to marry a virtuous and beautiful young woman, but he wanted to follow the path of monasticism. In order to avoid the persistence of his parents, he first resorted to a monastery of Mount Olympus in Bithynia where he became a monk and received the name Christodoulos. He then lived for some years in Jerusalem and, after being conquered by the Saracens, fled to Mount Latros in Asia Minor where he became a spiritual master of monks.
Desiring total peace, he traveled to the island of Patmos, where he established a temple dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist, who had lived and wrote the Book of Revelation. The great virtues and ascetic struggle of Venerable Christodoulos attracted a large number of monks, who lived in the new monastery Venerable Christodoulos founded. Venerable Christodoulos fell asleep in the Lord in 1094 after suffering hardships during the Saracens’ raids, forcing him to abandon the monastery and the island of Patmos.
His legacy was passed on the brotherhood of the monastery he himself established, which until now is a beacon for the monks. His sacred relic is until today a source of miracles for the faithful.
Source: Church of Cyprus