Thyrsus

Saint Thyrsus (in Greek Therissos or Thyrsos, in the Cypriot dialect Terisos, called the Anchorite) was the third bishop of Karpasia, in Cyprus, after Saint Synesius and Saint Philo, the first bishop of Karpasia. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on 23 July (5 August on the new style). He is regarded as a wonderworker, especially for the healing of skin diseases.

According to tradition, Thyrsus gave up his episcopal rank and struggled in a cave near the villages of Agia Triada and Gialousa, on the northern coast of Cyprus. Near the cave of his asceticism two churches dedicated to him have been built. Those suffering from skin and other diseases usually go to his church on pilgrimage and then wash the inflammations on their bodies with the water of the sea or of the spring nearby. It is believed that through these washings those with skin diseases will be helped and healed.

The Life of Saint Thyrsus was written by the monk Acacius, in 1773.