Saint Neophytos

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Saint Neophytos was born in Lefkara, Cyprus in 1134 AD. At a young age, despite the will of his parents, he followed a lonely life. Initially, he took refuge in the monastery of Agios Chrysostomos, on Mount Koutsoventi, where he asked to stay and practice asceticism. After five years in the ministry of cultivation of vineyards of the monastery, with the blessing of the Abbot, he visits the Holy Land for pilgrimage. He remained there for a short time and when he returned to Cyprus, he consecrated himself in the Monastery of Chrysostom. In September 1159 AD, he chose to carve his incarceration in Paphos and remained locked in it for forty years. To avoid people, he carved new enclosures in the rocks and communicated with people only every Sunday. His ordination as an Elder, in 1170 AD, by the Bishop of Paphos, Vassilios Kinnamos, also contributed to this decision. Osios slept in a deep old age. His holy relic is kept until today in the homonymous monastery of Paphos in Cyprus. His memory is commemorated on April 12.
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