Ariston

Holy Hierarch Ariston the Wonderworker was bishop of Arsinoe in Cyprus and lived at the end of the fourth and the beginning of the fifth century. He was most probably born at Paphos. At that time the province of Paphos had two bishops: one at Nea Paphos and another at Arsinoe (near present-⁠day Chrysochous). According to Saint Neophytos the Recluse, Ariston was the second bishop of Arsinoe, after one Nicholas; after him came Saints Nikon and Arkadios (29 August). Neophytos considers the three equal in worth to the Three Hierarchs.

Ariston came from pious parents, who took care to raise him according to God. Through complete surrender to the Lord he gained meekness and humility, and in word and deed he was a fiery teacher of the true faith, a protector of orphans, a consoler of the poor and the sick, a loving father to all. God also granted him the gift of working miracles. Neophytos writes of him that he was the best fighter against the demons. After shepherding with zeal and doing many good works, he reposed in peace.

In the village of Choli, in Paphos, the ruins of a church dedicated to him can be seen, and the saint's chapel stands abandoned at the northern edge of the village. According to oral tradition, a Turk ordered to tear down the church died three days later. He is commemorated on 22 February (new style).