Saint Abba Cyrus (Kiros)
July 13, 2022
The Saint of Roman origin who was born from royalties Abba Cyrus (Kiros) is commemorated in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on 8 of July. His birth name was Dilasor, was the son of a Christian king of “Rome” Abya (son of Yonani) by his wife Genaser (vars. Anaser, Menaser). Three years after his brother Tewodosyos succeeded their father, Kiros becomes a hermit.As Cyrus knew the well vanity of the world and its temporal nature, he left all his possesions when his father died and went wandering without a destination. The, the Holy Spirit descended upon him that led him to wilderness where he lived for many years.
He first stayed in a cave in the mountains of Adasar and then in the desert of Bardanos, where he receives the monastic habit from the hermit Paphnutius (abba Babnuda) who brought it for Kiros from Scetis. For sharing his “heavenly food” with a thievish monk from Däbrä Tona(h) of Scetis, Paphnutius is condemned by God to be devoured by a lion. The thief is saved from Hell in accordance with the kidan Kiros concludes with Lord Jesus Christ.
After a period of wanderings in the desert, Kiros meets a poor and ail- ing person Misael, the son of the king of Chal cedon. Kiros consoles him by telling him his story so that Misael might accept his fate and, after the in- tervention of the Lord, he dies peacefully and goes to heaven.
On accusing the monks of mistreating Misaýel in life and death, Kiros is carried away by Elijah. Later, Abba Kiros again intercedes for unworthy monks sent to hell and receives a new kidan from Jesus; the sinners are returned to their monastic life so they may later enter Paradise.
After years of asceticism Kiros receives a visit from Lord Jesus (in the image of an old monk from Däbrä Erara) who announces Kiros’s approaching death; abba Bamwa of Scetis is to write down his life. In heaven, all the saints visit Kiros, in particular such “desert fathers” as Saint Anthony, Macarius, Shenouda and others.
Saint Abba Cyrus is a renowned and honoured in Ethiopia by at least seven different kinds of sälam and mälké. He is often mentioned, together with other saints, on the occasion of the death of various persons in hagiographic texts, and appears frequently in connection with Gäbrä Mänfäs Qéddus and Täklä Haymanot.
This Saint died at the age of 270 on 8th of July E.C accompanied to ten thousands of Angels with their hymn and melody.
May the intercession of our righteous father Abba Cyrus be with us, Amen!