Theosebius of Arsinoe

Saint Theosebius of Arsinoe was a devout shepherd of Cyprus, born at the end of the fourth century in the village of Melandra, near ancient Arsinoe (today Polis Chrysochous) in the district of Paphos. The Church honours him on 12 October (new style, in the Church of Cyprus) as a venerable saint, and his life was one of hidden prayer and gentleness.

His parents, Michael and Anna, were pious people. His brother Arcadius went to study in Constantinople and became bishop of Arsinoe; he is commemorated on 29 August. Theosebius stayed at home and tended the family flock, and on the mountain, in a quiet place, he found time for prayer and for reading the word of God. He ate only enough to live and gave the poor the bread he kept from his fasting; when he found no one in need, he crumbled it for the birds. He prayed in secret in a cave a few kilometres from Melandra.

When he came of age he married a pious girl from the neighbouring village of Philousa, but he and his wife agreed to live in virginity, as brother and sister.

Many years later, by divine revelation, he learned that the end of his life was near. He called his wife, told her he was going to graze the sheep farther away, and urged her to keep her soul watchful and her virginity unbroken to the end. He led the flock out one last time, and a few days later went to his beloved cave and, after praying, gave up his soul into God's hands on 12 October, with no one present.

His dog stayed on guard at the mouth of the cave. After some days it gathered the sheep, took them home, and hurried back; when the relatives came searching, it led them to the cave. They found the saint's body whole and fragrant, as Saint Neophytos the Recluse writes in a praise of him. Since night had fallen, the family kept vigil there. In the night the saint appeared in a dream to his father and asked not to be taken away, but to be buried in that place and to have a church built in his name as thanks to God. This was done.

He is said to have healed many blind and deaf people. Once two shepherds robbed his church, but they confessed, returned what they had taken and were forgiven. In popular use his name also appears as Sesefis, Efsechis or Eusevis. Remains of churches dedicated to him can still be seen in Cyprus, at Philousa and near Kritou Terra, and place names in the area keep his memory alive.