Saint Philon Whom We Commemorate on January 24

 Saint Philon was one of the most significant fathers of the early Christian era. His was an exceptional personality with a divine zeal that surpassed everyone in wisdom and virtue. He was a philosopher and historiographer. This is how Saint Philon was characterized by the students of Patrology: The most famous bishop of Carpasia.

 He lived at the time of Saint Epiphanios, at the end of the fourth century AD, and the beginning of the fifth century. His parents are not known to us. It is also not known where he obtained his superb education. We do know that Saint Philon was ordained a Deacon at a young age and was distinguished for his wisdom and knowledge. He was also known for his missionary work and for the conversion of the idolators of Carpasia.

 His good attributes caught the attention of the Primate of Cyprus, the great Epiphanios. This holy father called the young Deacon by his side, promoted him to a hieromonk, and assigned him to the vital task of converting the Greek inhabitants of Cyprus to Christianity.

 At that time idolatry was still going strong, though not in its prime. Thousands of sheep, calves, and cattle, as well as other livestock were offered up every day by our idol worshipping ancestors as a sacrifice to their gods, so that they might have their good will and assistance. The smoke and smell of the burning meat was distributed for miles around and many times it darkened the sky at a considerable distance from the site of the sacrifice.

 The great multitudes who were entrenched in this perversity were supposed to be drawn away from the idols and be led to the religion of the crucified Christ by Saint Philon. The enthusiastic cleric took up the challenge at once. And the villages and towns noticed his holy presence soon.

 A very moving prayer is presented by the Synaxaristes in the present instance. "Lord Jesus Christ my God Who for the salvation of man descended to earth, and put on the body of thy servant, and suffered so many temptations from the world. You were crucified, You were buried, and resurrected and saved man. Vouchsafe now too O Lord that these lost people may be saved whom the devil led astray."

 "That the deluded people may be saved" Behold one of the most important tasks in his life. The good shepherd anguishes for the salvation of his wayward countrymen. And for the success of his goal, he is not constrained only to prayer. The God-inspired missionary is aware that something else is needed. The good, the edifying "ensample". We must reiterate and point out, what an ancient teacher of the Church says and repeats. The priest is an image of Christ on earth. No sermon is as powerful and efficacious as the good example. The good representative of Christ must always be able to repeat before people the admonition of Saint Paul: "Be imitators of me as I am of Christ."

 This determined worker of the flock of Jesus does not teach only with his words and deeds but also with his many miracles. With his fervent prayers, the sick are healed. The sea is quieted. Rain comes down from heaven, and waters the earth and revives the fields. The demons are driven out and the dead are resurrected. His miracles are continuous. One follows upon the other. And the result is that yesterday's idolators renounce the religion of their fathers. They smash their idols, and hasten to accept the new Faith and be baptized. By the side of the Church which bears his name, and near the ruins of an old baptismal font, may be seen the remains of an old reservoir, "Dexamenin Philona." In this place the Saint baptized thousands of idolators. At the same spot those people who go there even today and wash in the water with faith, are healed of their infirmities.

 In his missionary work the young Bishop did not find everything easy. He met many obstacles. Obstacles from the fanatical followers of the old religion. And also from those whose interests were frustrated. By the spread of the new Faith, God meanwhile helped Saint Philon. For the Lord always aids those who become ministers of His will with faith and unselfishness. At times He appears to be indifferent and slow to act in protecting His Own people. But He never forgets. And He never abandons any of His followers. This is always true in the lives of the Saints, and was also true in the life of Saint Philon. However, by his efforts and prayers, the strongholds of idolatry were toppled one after the other. And the blood stained pennant of the Cross was raised everywhere.

 The stunning success of Saint Philon's work was acknowledged by Archbishop Epiphanios who, in response to a divine revelation, was (according to Polyvius the historian) ordained the zealous missionary to be Bishop of Carpasia. His activity in his new position extraordinary. In his personage, the Christians found their father, their protector, and their shepherd. The shepherd who does not seek to take advantage of his flock's devotion in order to have and enjoy the good things of this life but who is prepared to sacrifice his life for the good of the flock.

 As the candle burns, thus did his love burn for God and for the salvation of his followers. And thanks to his zeal, the Primate of the Church of Cyprus Epiphanios, chose Saint Philon to oversee the Church while he travelled to Rome. And he not only assigned him as overseer, but he gave him the right to ordain clergy during his absence, whomsoever he deemed worthy.

 Aside from the sermon that he delivered before the congregation, and the numerous miracles that he worked, he was also distinguished as a Church intellectual and as an interpreter of Scripture. His most important work is the Commentary on the Song of Songs. Aside from this the holy bishop also wrote History of the Church and others. His name is referred to with great respect and he is regarded as one of the most important figures of the early Christian era.

 Our blessed father was laid to rest and buried at Carpasia. As we mentioned earlier, his Church may be seen to this day near the coast. It is a token of the religious devotion of our fathers. Let us remember him therefore, and let us travel to Cyprus in our mind. As we kneel before his holy icon and chant silently the hymn of our love and respect.

 Though you were a man by nature, you became a companion of angels.

 You lived on earth as a man without a body, O Father Philon.

 You did restrain the passions of the flesh, therefore thou shalt hear the words: "Hail the offspring of pious Cypriots, Hail, thou didst save many from delusion.

 Hail thou teacher and enlightener of Cyprus. Hail thou shepherd of Carpasia Hail for thou didst follow Christ since youth. Hail for thou didst tame the passions of the flesh. Hail O Philon the shepherd of Carpasians".

Translated by Leo Papadopulos from Morphes That Sanctified Cyprus, by Father Stavros Agathangelos, Nicosia, 1998. pp. 266-270. George Blaisdell, Typist, Roslyn, WA. 2007