Onesiphorus of Anarita

Venerable Onesiphorus of Anarita was an ascetic of Cyprus, in the Paphos district, honoured as a wonderworker. When he was born and lived is not known, but we do know that he was raised in Constantinople by pious, virtuous and wealthy parents who had received many honours and offices from the emperors. Despite this, they remained faithful and humble to the end.

He grew up in the palace and received a fine education, with a special skill in naval science. The emperor, seeing his wisdom and ability, made him augustalios, that is, admiral of the imperial fleet. Onesiphorus built new vessels, repaired old ones and saw to military exercises. When well-⁠armed enemies attacked the empire, he was sent against them with many ships, but in the great battle all the Roman ships were sunk except one, the one on which he was also saved. Grieved, he decided to withdraw from the vanity of the world together with ten friends who also sought the stillness of ascetic life. They left Constantinople and came to the port of Paphos in Cyprus; after disembarking they kissed one another, took leave, and each went where God led him.

Passing by Anarita, Onesiphorus found a cave suited to stillness and ascetic struggle. He settled there, fasted, kept vigil and prayed, and built a small church, which collapsed a few years ago in an earthquake. At that time a terrible drought afflicted Cyprus: the springs had dried up, the wells were empty, the crops had withered and the animals were dying of thirst. For three days the saint neither ate, nor drank, nor closed his eyes, and with unceasing tears he prayed to God. After the three days thick clouds covered the sky of Cyprus and gave the gift he had asked. The crowds who came to thank him were told by him to thank the Giver of all good things and to live a clean life, the only one God loves.

It is said that even after death the hermit of Anarita works miracles through his prayers: he cleanses lepers, gives sight to the blind, speech to the mute and walking to the lame, and heals without payment all who call on him with faith. At Anarita, at the southern entrance of the village, stands the new chapel of Saint Onesiphorus, built by the community after the old church collapsed, on the same site but outside the cemetery. Cells can be seen around it, a sign that there was once a monastic community. The cave where he was sanctified could still be seen some twenty years ago, but today its location is unknown, probably covered by rubble. His relics were kept for many years in a shrine in the old village church, but his body has been lost; parts of the relics are kept at the Monasteries of Kykkos and Chrysorrogiatissa. He is commemorated on 13 July, according to the calendar of the Church of Greece (new style).