Hieromartyr Cyril, Bishop of Gortyna

Commemorated on September 6.

The Hieromartyr Cyril, Bishop of Gortyna, lived during the time of the emperor Diocletian and his co-emperor Maximian (284-305). As a Christian he was brought to trial before the governor Agrippina and after interrogation he was thrown into prison. One night the saint heard a voice commanding him to go to Rome.

In the morning the doors of the prison were open, and the idols overthrown and destroyed. On the road to Rome Saint Cyril had a vision: Saint Philoxenos appeared and said that he would receive two crowns, one of a hierarch and the other of a martyr.

At Rome, Saint Cyril rendered great help to the Church by his preaching. When a persecution against Christians started up, Saint Cyril went to Jerusalem to encourage the Christians living there. Along the way he had a vision and received a command not to neglect Crete.

When he arrived there, Saint Cyril was chosen bishop of the city of Gortyna. He was then 60 years of age. Still on the episcopal throne of Gortyna at age 95, Saint Cyril was brought to trial at the start of a new persecution against Christians and sentenced to death. He was beheaded with the sword in the vicinity of Raukos at the beginning of the fourth century.

Saint Cyril is commemorated on June 14 on the Greek calendar.