Thyrsus of Karpasia

Holy Hierarch Thyrsus of Karpasia was bishop of Karpasia in Cyprus, the third after Saint Philon and Saint Synesius. He is also called Therissos or Thyrsus the Recluse.

According to tradition, he resigned his episcopal throne and struggled in a cave near the villages of Agia Trias and Gialousa on the northern coast of Cyprus. Beside the cave two churches have been built in his name. He is venerated as a wonderworker for the healing of skin diseases: the sick go on pilgrimage to his church and wash their sores with the sea water nearby, in hope of healing. The Greek calendar commemorates him on 5 August (new style), together with Patriarch Euthymius of Constantinople, while Cypriot tradition gives him 23 July.