Hieromartyr 4th century

Hieromartyr Cyril of Gortyna

died c. 303

Also known as Cyril, Bishop of Gortyna

The aged Bishop of Gortyna on Crete, beheaded for Christ (c. 303)

Feast Day

September 6

Also Jul 9

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Commemorated as

The Holy Hieromartyr Cyril, Bishop of Gortyna

Life

Cyril was bishop of Gortyna, the principal city of Roman Crete, and is venerated as a hieromartyr who was beheaded for the Christian faith during the persecutions of the late third or early fourth century. The synaxarion records that he was an aged man at the time of his sufferings, having governed his church for many years before his death.

The sources differ on the exact circumstances of his life and martyrdom. The Orthodox Church in America's account states that he was bishop of Gortyna for fifty years and that he suffered either under the emperor Decius (249-251) or, according to other sources, under Maximian (284-305), dying at the age of eighty-four. A Greek-tradition account places his episcopate during the reign of Diocletian (284-305), reporting that he was ordained bishop at sixty-eight, governed the church for twenty-five years, and was brought to trial at ninety-three.

Across the recensions the central episode is consistent: arraigned before a Roman governor and commanded to sacrifice to the idols, Cyril refused and was condemned to die by fire, yet the flames did not harm him. Many pagans were converted by this deliverance. Continuing to preach afterward, he was tried a second time and put to death by the sword.

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Trial and Martyrdom

Brought before the governor and ordered to offer sacrifice to idols, Cyril steadfastly confessed Christ and refused the command. He was sentenced to burning, but according to both accounts the fire failed to touch him: the Greek tradition relates that the rope binding him burned away and the wood beneath turned to ashes while he remained unharmed. The OCA account names the governor Lucius, who, seeing the miracle, is said to have praised the Christian God and released the saint; the Greek account names the governor Agrianos.

After his deliverance Cyril resumed his preaching and led many pagans to Christ. The OCA life adds that he grieved at not having been granted martyrdom, and that when it was reported he would not cease preaching he was condemned a second time, willingly placing his head beneath the sword. The Greek tradition specifies that the beheading took place at a location called Raxos.

Veneration

Cyril is commemorated on September 6 and also on July 9. A chapel dedicated to his memory is recorded at Stavion of Monophatsiou in Crete, situated at the summit of the Asterousia Mountains. Sources note that a second hieromartyr of the same name and see, Cyril of Gortyna, was martyred by Saracen raiders in the eighth century, and the two are distinguished in the calendar.

Notes

Also commemorated Jul 9.

Sources: Synaxarion