Saint SOZON the Zealer and Healer

There is a not very well known Saint in the Orthodox Christian Church named SOZON (sometimes called Sozonos or Sozontos or Sozonas), recognized as both a martyr and a healer.

Saint Sozon the Martyr, originally a pagan shepherd named Tarasios from Lycaonia in Asia Minor, converted to Christianity in the 3rd century and was baptized with the name Sozon.

He is known for his zeal in spreading the Christian faith, including an act where he cut off a golden hand from a pagan idol of Artemis and distributed the proceeds to the poor. This led to his arrest by the authorities under Governor Maximian. Despite being tortured, he remained steadfast in his faith and was ultimately martyred, likely by fire.

Saint Sozon is venerated as a healer and is the patron saint of the island of Lemnos.

His feast day is celebrated on September 7. Relics of the saint are preserved in monasteries in Greece and Cyprus. While his story shares some parallels with other martyr-healers like Saint Panteleimon, Sozon’s distinct identity and acts of charity mark him as a unique figure in Orthodox tradition.

St. SOZON in live was loudly spreading his beliefs

Saint Sozon was a fervent believer during his life, having been converted through deep faith and conviction. He passionately shared his beliefs with others, an enthusiasm that led to consequences from the authorities. He appears to have been a resolute opponent of false faiths, injustice, and inequality, which ultimately led to his downfall.

St SOZON the Healer did many miracles

Saint Sozon as a healer is mainly known through the tradition of his miracles, both during his life and after his martyrdom. His reputation as a healer grew through the miracles attributed to his intercession after his death. As a martyr who endured suffering and gave his life for his faith, he is believed to have received the gift of healing from God, a common attribute among saints in Orthodox Christianity.

After his martyrdom, numerous healings were reported at his tomb and through prayers invoking his name, particularly on the island of Lemnos, where he is a patron saint.

These miracles often involved physical ailments and are recorded in hagiographies and local traditions. His role as a shepherd who cared for his flock also symbolizes his spiritual healing and protection over the faithful, reinforcing his association with healing graces. The exact mechanisms of these healings are considered divine acts, mediated through his relics and prayers, rather than through documented medical practices during his life.

Relics of Saint Sozon are preserved in the following monasteries:

– Monastery of Stagiades in Kalampaka, Greece
– Monastery of Panagias Kremastis in Ilia, Greece
– Kykkos Monastery in Cyprus
– Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery in Cyprus (some remains)
– Machaira Monastery in Cyprus (some remains)

These locations are noted in various traditions and historical accounts related to his veneration. So SOZONs Relicts is mainly represented in Cyprus!

Churches and Monasteries dedicated to Saint SOZON

Saint Sozon Church in Cyprus

Close to a large cave that Saint Sozon hid in when he was pursued by the Saracens in the 7th century a new church is being constructed in his memory. Sozon is a local saint of Paphos who is still celebrated on September 7th and before

he was sanctified, was a shepherd from Plakountoudin, a medieval settlement near Asprogia Village.

Here I Found Pictures of another Church dedicated to SOZON in Asprogia.

Agion SOZON in Limnos is a Monastery dedicated to St. SOZON

References about Saint SOZON

here I just present 4 Websites that are great to read, below is a more detailled list of websites dedicated to Saint SOZON

Orthodox Saint Sozon the Martyr History and Name Day Information

Greek Name Day Calendar

References

About Live of SOZON

references that provide insights into the life of Saint Sozon the Martyr, based on available information:

1. Orthodox Church in America – Detailed account of Saint Sozon’s life, including his origins as Tarasius, his conversion, and martyrdom, with emphasis on his miracles. https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/09/07/102552-martyr-sozon-of-cilicia
2. Orthodoxtimes.com – Highlights his background from Lycaonia, his act of breaking the idol’s hand, and his feast day on September 7. https://www.orthodoxtimes.com/memory-of-saint-sozon-the-martyr/
3. Johnsanidopoulos.com – Offers a narrative on his martyrdom, relics, and his role as the patron saint of Lemnos, with historical context. https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/09/saint-sozon-martyr-of-cilicia-and-patron.html
4. Wikipedia – Provides a concise overview of Sozon’s life as a 3rd-century martyr from Cilicia and his patronage of Lemnos. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sozon_of_Cilicia
5. Greekboston.com – Covers his conversion from paganism, his zeal for Christianity, and the significance of his feast day. https://www.greekboston.com/culture/orthodox-religion/saint-sozon/
6. Orthochristian.com – Describes his shepherd life, scriptural study, and the events leading to his torture and death. https://www.orthochristian.com/108598.html
7. Goarch.org (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America) – Details his act against the idol of Artemis and his steadfastness under Maximian’s persecution. https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints/315
8. Monastiriaka.gr – Includes his baptism, catechetical efforts, and martyrdom, with a focus on his commemoration. https://www.monastiriaka.gr/en/saint-sozon
9. Athonian.gr – Recounts his life as a shepherd, his confrontation with paganism, and the preservation of his relics. https://www.athonian.gr/saint-sozon-the-martyr
10. Lemnosgallipolicc.blogspot.com – Explores his patronage of Lemnos, his maritime miracles, and the island’s historical veneration of him. https://lemnosgallipolicc.blogspot.com/2014/03/lemnos-patron-saint-saint-sozon.html

References about Relicts of Saint SOZON

1. Monastery of Stagiades – Detailed account of Saint Sozon’s relics preserved in Kalampaka, Greece, highlighting their historical significance. https://www.stagiadesmonastery.gr

2. Monastery of Panagias Kremastis – Information on the relics of Saint Sozon housed in Ilia, Greece, with notes on their veneration. https://www.panagiakremastis.gr

3. Kykkos Monastery – Describes the preservation of Saint Sozon’s relics in Cyprus, emphasizing their spiritual importance. https://www.kykkos.org

4. Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery – Mentions some remains of Saint Sozon, part of the monastery’s sacred collection in Cyprus. https://www.chrysorrogiatissa.org

5. Machaira Monastery – Notes the presence of Saint Sozon’s relics among other holy artifacts in Cyprus. https://www.machairamonastery.org

6. Athonian.gr – Provides details on fragments of Saint Sozon’s relics kept in monasteries, including Stagiades and Kykkos. https://www.athonian.gr/saint-sozon-the-martyr

7. Monastiriaka.gr – References the relics of Saint Sozon in Mount Athos monasteries, with a focus on their historical context. https://www.monastiriaka.gr/saint-sozon

8. Orthochristian.com – Includes a mention of Saint Sozon’s relics in various monasteries, linked to his martyrdom story. https://www.orthochristian.com/saintsozon

9. Greekorthodoxchurch.org – Offers insight into the relics of Saint Sozon in Greek monasteries, tied to his patronage of Lemnos. https://www.greekorthodoxchurch.org/saints/sozon

10. Lemnosgallipolicc.blogspot.com – Discusses Saint Sozon’s relics on Lemnos, with historical accounts of their veneration. https://lemnosgallipolicc.blogspot.com/2023/09/saint-sozon-relics.html

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Monasteries or Churches dedicated to Saint SOZOS

Where did SOZON actually live?

Saint Sozon, originally named Tarasios, lived during the late 3rd century in the region of Lycaonia, which was part of Cilicia in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He was a shepherd by profession and spent much of his early life in this area before his conversion to Christianity. After his baptism, he continued to reside in Lycaonia and later traveled to Pompeiopolis in Cilicia, where he confronted idolatry and ultimately faced martyrdom around 304 AD.

– https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/09/07/102552-martyr-sozon-of-cilicia
– https://www.orthodoxtimes.com/memory-of-saint-sozon-the-martyr/
– https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/09/saint-sozon-martyr-of-cilicia-and-patron.html
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sozon_of_Cilicia
– https://www.greekboston.com/culture/orthodox-religion/saint-sozon/

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Why is Saint SOZON so prominently represented in Cyprus?

Saint Sozon’s representation in Cyprus is relatively limited compared to more prominent saints like Barnabas or Spyridon, but his presence is notable due to specific historical and cultural factors. There is no widespread evidence suggesting he lived in Cyprus during his lifetime; instead, he is traditionally associated with Lycaonia and Cilicia in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). However, his veneration in Cyprus likely stems from the following reasons:

– Relics and Monasteries: Fragments of Saint Sozon’s relics are preserved in prominent Cypriot monasteries such as Kykkos, Chrysorrogiatissa, and Machaira. These relics, brought to Cyprus over time, have fostered local devotion. The presence of his relics in these sacred sites has led to the construction of churches and chapels in his honor, such as the one near the Spilios t’ Ai Sozonta cave in Paphos, where tradition claims he hid from Saracens.

– Local Tradition and Martyrdom: A local Cypriot tradition, particularly in Paphos, identifies Saint Sozon as a shepherd who became a martyr after hiding in a cave to escape Saracen pursuers in the 7th century. This narrative, while possibly conflating him with other saints or local figures, has contributed to his veneration as a protector and healer on the island. The construction of a church near this cave, with his icon and relics, reinforces this connection.

– Patronage and Miracles: His role as a patron saint of Lemnos, known for maritime miracles, may have extended to Cyprus due to its maritime history and shared Orthodox traditions. Cypriots, like Limnians, may have adopted him as an intercessor for protection against storms and invasions, aligning with his reputation as a savior of castaways.

– Orthodox Syncretism: Cyprus, with its rich history of Orthodox saints (over 240 commemorated), integrates lesser-known figures like Sozon into its spiritual fabric. His feast day on September 7 aligns with other commemorations, potentially boosting his recognition through shared liturgical celebrations.

The representation is thus more a result of relic veneration, local legends, and the island’s Orthodox heritage rather than evidence of him living there. However, the lack of extensive documentation suggests his prominence in Cyprus may be more regional (e.g., Paphos) than island-wide, and some accounts might reflect later hagiographical embellishments rather than historical fact.

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thanx to GROK and ChatGPT for the help!