Cyrus and John

Saints Cyrus and John were unmercenary physicians and martyrs of the time of persecution, put to death around 304 or 311. They are especially venerated in the Coptic Church and called wonderworking unmercenary physicians, because they healed the sick without payment. In Arabic their names are Abakir (Abu Qir) and John.

They were two Christians of the time of the persecution of Diocletian (284 to 305), confessors of Christ unto death. According to tradition, Cyrus was a physician at Alexandria, and John joined him to share in his work of healing. Sophronius of Jerusalem wrote later of their miracles. By their prayer, tradition says, many sick were restored to health.

Their feast is kept by the Copts on the sixth day of the month of Tobi, that is 31 January, the day also kept by the Eastern Orthodox Church. On the same day they are commemorated in the Roman Martyrology. The Orthodox Church also celebrates the finding and translation of their relics on 28 June.