The following was written by Sylvia Leonidou – Onesiphorou:
My maternal grandfather was named John Kyrakides. He served in the small church of St. Nicholas as a sexton for more than thirty years. He was an honest, sincere, humble, and good man who loved the Church very much and had a great weakness for St. Nicholas. He always had him as a protector and helper.
The Holy Metropolis of Kition (Limassol belonged to the Metropolis of Kition) granted my grandfather one of the two houses that were near the church, where today is housed the Parish Center, and he lived with his wife Helen. In another house the priest lived with his family.
One night in winter, when rain came and went, there came a big storm. It was chaos. Thunder was heard from afar and lightning ripped the sky from east to west. Great desolation and deep darkness reigned everywhere. Nor were there lights, nor moon, nor stars, because the sky was covered with black clouds.
My grandfather had lied down early. The midnight hour passed. My grandmother suddenly heard him get out of bed and hurriedly put on his poor jacket, ready to go out of the house. Immediately my grandmother began to yell: “John where are you going at this hour?” My grandfather replied with a calm and gentle voice: “Don’t be afraid Helen, St. Nicholas came and told me his silver icon dropped to the floor in the church and I’m going to pick it up.
Despite the exhortations of my grandmother for him not to go out on such a fearful and rainy night, my grandfather quickly went to the church without losing time.
After some time he returned soaking wet like a duck. But satisfied. He was in fact correct. The silver icon of St. Nicholas was on the floor of the church, just like the Saint notified. Grandfather picked up the icon with great respect and placed it back in its permanent position. After doing his cross three times he venerated St. Nicholas and locked the door to the church. He returned in the rain to his poor bed to continue his sleep, delighted and happy now that he had done his full duty