A well-attested story from 1769 states the following.
A certain Hadji
named Savvas, an inhabitant of the Phaneromeni district of Nicosia in Cyprus, had a
son named John, who was a victim of demonic possession. On the feast of
Saint Herakleides the parents brought their child to the shrine of the
Saint in hopes of eliminating his suffering. While the Divine Liturgy
was being celebrated, a strange occurrence took place. The boy suddenly
fell to the ground, convulsing and vomiting, then witnesses beheld his
tormentor issue forth in the shape of a snake, a span length, and two
crabs. The snake and the crabs were afterwards hung up publicly in the
church to confirm the faith of believers and silence the unbelievers.
The Holy Hieromartyr Herakleides, Bishop of Tamassos, is commemorated on September 17th.
