The Boys

Orthodox Name Day is January 24, and the meaning of the name is novice

Ayios Neophytos was born in Lefkara, 12C

A monastic community gathered around the cell of the saint Ayios Neophytos a most eminent figure of 12C monastic life in Cyprus, and the pride of Paphos to this day

In the hills above Paphos he found a cave retreat in the face of a cliff. Digging by himself, he enlarged it then he dedicated the Enkleistra (Gr meaning seclusion) to the Holy Cross and erected an altar within, as well as constructing a tomb for himself in its innermost recesses. The Enkleistra is also known as the Hermitage

Neopohytos' fame as a teacher and author of attracted such crowds of pilgrims that he exchanged the Enkleistra for an even more inaccessible cave (the Upper Enkleistra or New Zion) hewn by himself in the rock. Here, in his new retreat he continued to practise the most rigid austerities, only descending on Sunday to enlighten his disciples

He was an outspoken critic of the Byzantine government, so popular with the people that the authorities could not silence him

He commissioned artists to paint the cave walls with scenes depicting the lives of the Saints and of Christ. These paintings, along with his religious and political writings survive as a record of 12C history of Cyprus

In art, Ayios Neophytos is depicted as an old, bearded man dressed on monk's robes holding manuscripts and a cross

Ayios Sozomenos

Orthodox Name Day is November 21 and the meaning of the name is one who was saved

Ayios Sozomenos was a shepherd who became a monk. He and his brother Eftichios spent time at Stavrovouni monastery before leaving to live in separate caves.

It is said that they visited each other using an underground tunnel which linked the caves at Potamia and Nisou

He wrote copiously on Church issues

In art, Ayios Sozomenos is depicted as a bearded old man dressed in monk's robes holding a scroll and a crucifix

Ayios Mamas

Orthodox Name Day is September 2 and the meaning of the name is ?

Ayios Mamas was born in Turkey in 3C

During a period of persecution, he lived in a cave near Morphou where wild animals fed him

He did not use State institutions so he felt that he should not pay taxes

He was arrested and on the way to trial they saw a lion chasing a lamb

The hermit commanded the lion to stop, he carried the lamb and rode on the lion's back to town

The governor exempted him from all taxes.

Hence his patronage of shepherds and tax evaders

In art, Ayios Mamas is depicted as a young man bearing a shepherd's crook, usually carrying a lamb and mounted on a lion

Ayios Ioannis Lampadistis

Orthodox Name Day is October 4 and the meaning of the name is illuminator

Ayios Ioannis Lampadistis was born into a priest's family in Lampadou 11C

He was nurtured with the essence of the faith and learned the holy scriptures from an early age.

When he was 18 years old his parents were pressing him to be engaged.After the engagement, Ioannis decided to break his engagement and dedicate himself to God.

When he announced his irreversible decision to the parents of his fiancée, they were insulted, In spite their bitterness, they pretended that they still had loving feelings for him. They invited him to dinner and poisoned him and as a result Ioannis was blinded.

The scene of this lethal dinner with the poisonous fishes that they offered to him is depicted in a large portable icon, which is found in his monastery in Kalopanagiotis

He was now blind. But he said "If they have taken from me the eyes of the body, the eyes of the soul exist, so that I will praise the name of God with greater zeal"

He left Lampadou and went to the monastery of his fellow-villager, Ayios Herakleidios

He lived three years of ascetic life teaching that anyone with the will is able to live close to Christ

He was 22 years old when he delivered his "snow-white soul" to the Lord

In art Ayios Ioannis Lampadistis is depicted as a very young man dressed in monk's clothing