One of the tangible signs of holiness is the gift of miracles to our saints. They, through the uncreated actions of God, deserved to work miracles and thus glorify God's holy name. One of the miraculous saints of our Church is the holy hieromartyr Polychronios.
He was from the countryside Gamphanitis or Gamfan M. Asia, of the area of Alamanon and lived him 4ο century when reigned Constantine the Great. He was the offspring of noble and pious parents. His father's name was Vardanis, a pious and wealthy farmer. He grew up in a home where piety and virtues were cultivated. His rich parents made sure to fill his soul with faith in God and taught him the virtuous life. At the same time, they made sure that he received a great education and immersed himself in the sacred letters.
From a young age he showed an appeal to virtue, faith in God, prudence and temperance, so that he was admired by his fellow citizens. In fact, he deserved, as a child, to perform, through his fervent prayer, a great miracle. Let abundant water spring up in the arid city where he dwelt! There was no spring in the city and the inhabitants were forced to go a long distance to get the necessary water. Polychronius fell on his knees and begged God with fervor and faith to free his countrymen from this trouble. And oh wonder, a starless spring of abundant cool water gushed forth beside his father's house! The inhabitants glorified God and blessed the saint of their city!
When the virtuous Polychronius grew up, he decided to leave his homeland in order to save his livelihood. A few other compatriots also left with him, including his later teammates: Parmenius, Polyteleus, Elymas, Mocius, Christoteles, Maximus, Luke, Obadiah, Semnius and Olympiades. They moved to Constantinople where they found work in a large vineyard.
There he distinguished himself for his industriousness, his philanthropy and above all for his virtues. He was patient and kind to everyone. His work was a constant prayer. He worked and prayed mentally. He also fasted hard, so that he ate a little bread every two or three days!
His boss watched and admired him. But at one point he was ashamed that he had subjected a holy man to tedious labor and compared him to his own sinfulness. So she decided to stop him from his job. He gave him enough money and said: "holy man of God go to your country and pray for me". The saint took the money and left for his homeland, but left him his dikelli as a memory, which, however, began to work miracles.
Polychronius arrived in his city and with the money he got from his former boss bought a place, where he founded "auspicious house", where he served the Church of Christ. At first he was a lay preacher, later he became a reader and then an elder. He benefited many people and helped them to gain the true faith.
Later we find him in Cyprus, where he became Bishop. His episcopal ministry was particularly beneficial for his Cypriot flock. He ministered with zeal, taught with fervor and practiced almsgiving. He was a tireless protector of the weak, widows, orphans and downtrodden.
He spread love to all, so that through him God might be glorified. At the same time he performed many miracles. In particular, he showed great diligence towards those lost in the many heresies, which the heretics seized from the savior bosoms of the Church.
At that time, and while the persecutions of the pagans ceased, the Church was severely tested by the terrible heresy of Arion, Arianism, which literally destroyed the Christian edifice. He taught that God is only the Father, while the Son is a creation and the Holy Spirit an impersonal force. With the help of the devil and the skills of the heretic Arius, the heresy spread at a dizzying rate. Thousands of Christians, clergy, monks and laity, embraced her horrible delusions. Then the pious emperor Constantine summoned her First Ecumenical Council, in Nicaea of Bithynia, ensures 325. to examine the problem and define the trinitarian doctrine. 318 Bishops or their representatives took part in the Synod. Among them is Polychronius, who strongly supported the Orthodox Faith and civilized the heresy as a demonic situation, which aims to distance believers from the Church and deprive them of salvation.
But the Church was not to calm down even after the solemn condemnation of the heretic Arius. After the death of Constantine (337), the impious successor of his son Constantius (337-361) embraced the Arian heresy and persecuted the orthodox. The Martians, having the support of the emperor, attacked with fury the orthodox believers and especially the orthodox clergy. The Martians in Cyprus, seeing Saint Polychronius defending Orthodoxy and implementing the decisions of the First Ecumenical Council, hated him to death and tried to find a way to kill him. When they got the chance they arrested him, tortured him and beheaded him. According to another tradition, Arab pirates invaded Cyprus and plundered the island. They also passed by the place where Polychronios was Bishop. They found him while he was working, arrested him and cut him to pieces with their swords on the spot. The ignoble was called upon to mix his honest blood with the blood of the Lord! It is perhaps possible that the bloodthirsty pirates attacked, at the behest of the Martians, so one narrative complements the other.
His sanctified body was taken by the faithful and buried with honors. His tomb became a source of sanctification and the performance of miracles. Later his holy remains were transferred to Constantinople.
His memory is celebrated on October 7.
