Hieromartyr
Hieromartyr Heraclidius, Bishop of Tamassos, Cyprus
I век
Also known as: Ираклид Кипрский
Hieromartyr Heraclidius, Bishop of Tamassos — a native of the Cypriot village of Lampadou, son of the pagan priest Heraclius; baptized and catechized by Apostles Paul and Barnabas during their journey through Cyprus in AD 45, and ordained bishop of Tamassos by Apostle Barnabas himself; he suffered a martyr's death at about 60 years of age.
Hieromartyr Heraclidius was born in the Cypriot village of Lampadou near Galata, to a pagan priest named Heraclius. When Apostles Paul and Barnabas arrived on Cyprus in AD 45 and passed through Lampadou, the pagan priest Heraclius (Heraclidius's father) invited them to a pagan sacrifice; the apostles declined but asked to be guided to Paphos. The father sent his son Heraclidius to accompany them.
During this journey the apostles catechized and baptized Heraclidius. Apostle Barnabas himself ordained Heraclidius bishop for the city of Tamassos. He made his home in a cave, from which he preached.
He suffered a martyr's death for Christ at about 60 years of age and was buried in the same cave. Several sources title him "hieromartyr," consistent with a firm tradition of a violent death rather than a peaceful repose as bishop.