Hieromartyr Therapon of Cyprus

Saint Therapon was a bishop on the island of Cyprus who died a martyr. Little is known of him, and the traditions about his time differ. The Life used in the Russian Menologion says that he was first a monk, then bishop in Cyprus, and suffered for Christ under Diocletian (284–305); the Russian calendar dates him to the fourth century. Greek tradition, based on an encomium attributed to St Andrew of Crete, says he came from the East, went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, became bishop of Kition in Cyprus and was killed at the altar by Arab pirates while celebrating the Liturgy, placing him between the sixth and eighth centuries.

Both traditions agree on his relics: venerated in Cyprus for their miracles, they were taken to Constantinople in 806 because of the threat of Saracen raids. On the voyage they exuded myrrh and the travellers were saved from a storm through his prayers. In Constantinople the relics were placed first in a church of the Mother of God and later in a church dedicated to him. Feast in the Russian Church: 25 May (7 June); the Greek Church keeps 14 May. He is distinct from St Therapon of Sardis (27 May).