What's with the Lion?

It is a simple story – Saint Mamas, protector of Shepherds, is regarded as the Patron Saint of the island of Cyprus and Naxos. According to 12^th-century legend, a poor hermit of Cyprus refused to pay his taxes. Troops were sent to bring him to the capital for punishment. On the way, they came across a lion about to kill a lamb. Mamas saved the lamb and tamed the lion.

Holding the lamb in his hand, he rode the tame lion into the capital. The magistrate was so impressed by what he saw, he released the hermit and since then Saint Mamas has been regarded as the Protector of Taxpayers. Saint Mamas Monastery was built in the 18^th Century on the island of Cyprus.