Demetrian

Saint Demetrian is a saint of Cyprus, of the ninth and tenth centuries; in the source consulted his death is dated 912 (with a question mark), not the year 260 of our record. He was a monk, abbot and finally bishop of the ancient city of Chytri. He is venerated for the rescue, spoken of as miraculous, of Cypriot Christians who had been enslaved by Saracen invaders.

His life is documented only in a single manuscript. It says that he was the son of a priest, born in a small village, Sika, in medieval Cyprus. As a young man he married, but his wife died after only a few months; from then on he devoted himself to the Church. He served in a monastery dedicated to Saint Anthony and was ordained its abbot, a post he is said to have held for forty years. Then he was raised to be bishop of Chytri, but at first he resisted: not wishing to exchange his quiet monastic life for a busy office in a city, he fled and was hidden in a cave by a friend. In the end the friend became uncomfortable, and Demetrian was persuaded to accept.

Many Christians were taken captive and marched toward Baghdad to become slaves. Despite his advanced age, Demetrian followed them on the road and pleaded desperately for their release. Seemingly miraculously, the Saracens were persuaded and released the captives. His veneration continues in Cyprus to this day, with the feast on 6 November. He is also venerated as a patron of prisoners.