Cyprus-Forum.com

[Zenon33]

We all know the story of St. Helena and the True Cross. But St. Helena and the cats of Cyprus? That’s a story I’ve only just recently learned!

After St. Helena found the True Cross in Jerusalem, she headed back to Constantinople. On the way, she stopped by Cyprus. She was endowing a monastery there, and she intended to leave them a fragment of the True Cross.

But she found the island in disarray. For many years, Cyprus had been besieged by drought. Drought, of course, brings hunger. And in Cyprus, the drought had brought snakes. Lots and lots of snakes. Venomous snakes.

You could almost feel sorry for the snakes. They were just trying to find water, and because of the drought, the only place to find water was where people were storing it.

But the people of Cyprus weren’t inclined to feel sorry for the snakes. In fact, so many people had fled Cyprus for fear of the snakes that the monastery, and indeed the entire island, was in dire condition.



https://charlotteriggle.com/st-helena-cats-cyprus/



Happy Epiphany day!!.

[Londonrake]

Around here the cat population seem to be celebrating Epiphany with widespread humping. Accompanied by the usual chorus of course.

Must be that time of year.

[repulsewarrior]

...there are many stories about cats, in Cyprus. (i did not know this one.)

...and today (as is our practice) the most blessed of the year, as John might say the water's baptism, we celebrate Christ reborn; this birthday his chosen day.

Thanks for remembering Zenon.

Cheers!

[Zenon33]

...there are many stories about cats, in Cyprus. (i did not know this one.)

...and today (as is our practice) the most blessed of the year, as John might say the water's baptism, we celebrate Christ reborn; this birthday his chosen day.

Thanks for remembering Zenon.

Cheers!

St Helena's history is an icon of Cyprus, and there is a cat breed with that name, also made in Cyprus.