samedi 12 décembre 2020

Saint SPYRIDON (SPIRIDON) de TRIMYTHONTE le Thaumaturge, évêque

 

Fresco icon of St. Spiridon at Zemen MonasteryBulgaria.


Saint Spyridon le Thaumaturge

Évêque de Trimythonte (+ 348)

ou Spiridon.

Il vivait simple berger dans l'île de Chypre, époux et père de famille attentif, secourant toujours plus pauvre que lui. Lorsqu'il fut veuf, il n'abandonna pas son mode de vie de berger, même lorsqu'il fut élu évêque de Trimythonte. Ses fidèles pouvaient bavarder avec lui des choses de Dieu tandis qu'il surveillait ses moutons. Quand il célébrait la Divine Liturgie, il n'était plus le même, tant il le faisait avec grande solennité. La tradition raconte qu'une fois qu'il célébrait pratiquement seul dans une église isolée, il se retourna vers le peuple absent en chantant: "Paix à tous!" et ce sont les anges qui lui répondirent: "Et à ton esprit." Il vint au concile de Nicée en 325, dans son costume de pâtre. Un évêque, tenant de l'arianisme, venait de parler avec enflure de sa science théologique. Saint Spyridon, avec des mots tout simples, le confondit par sa connaissance mystique et personnelle de Dieu, ce qui, en fait, est l'authentique théologie.

Dans l'île de Chypre, au IVe siècle, saint Spyridon, évêque de Trémithonte, vrai pasteur de son troupeau, dont toutes les bouches célébraient les actions admirables.

Martyrologe romain

SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/9597/Saint-Spyridon-le-Thaumaturge.html


LA VIE DE SAINT SPYRIDON

Traduit des éditions "Vies des Saints" de l'Archimandrite Vassilopoulos

Le berger de Chypre

C'est en l'an 270 que naît Saint SPYRIDON, dans la très belle île grecque nommée Chypre. Ses parents sont bergers et le jeune Spyridon devient lui-même berger des troupeaux de la famille. L'instruction n'était pas chose facile à cette époque, mais Spyridon apprend à lire car son grand désir est de pouvoir lire les Saintes Ecritures. II veut apprendre ce que Dieu attend de l'homme et ce qu'il faut faire pour être sauvé. II avait compris très tôt l'importance de l'âme.

Comme le bétail est abondant, il a sous ses ordres plusieurs autres bergers. Chaque Dimanche, ils vont à la liturgie à tour de rôle et en hiver, lorsque le vent et la pluie les en empêchent, Spyridon, assis avec les autres bergers autour du feu, parle de sujets utiles à l'âme, car il veut que ses amis s'approchent aussi de Dieu et soient sauvés.

Avec l'aide de Dieu, il devient doux, sage et mesuré. II se marie et devient père de deux enfants. Sa femme quitte soudainement ce monde. Alors Spyridon se consacre davantage à servir Dieu et à la demande de tous il devient prêtre, en s'efforçant d'acquérir toutes les qualités d'un véritable prêtre de Dieu : désintéressé, sage, paisible et hospitalier, doux, indulgent, bon père de famille et sans rancune comme le démontre l'histoire qui suit.

Un soir, des voleurs viennent à la bergerie pour dérober des moutons ; mais aussitôt entrés, une force invisible les cloue sur place jusqu'au matin où Saint Spyridon les trouve ainsi. Il prie Dieu de les libérer et aussitôt les voleurs peuvent à nouveau bouger. Il choisit alors un mouton et le leur offre en disant : "Vous devez être épuisés , prenez ce mouton pour vous restaurer et avec la grâce de Dieu allez et ne volez plus".

Par la suite il reçoit de Dieu les dons de miracle, de guérison et d'exorcisme. Un grand nombre de ses premiers miracles ont été sauvés par la tradition et sont cités dans son tropaire.

Berger des hommes

Lorsque l'évêché de Trimythonte reste sans évêque, c'est Saint SPYRIDON, qui, à la demande de tous, occupera cette place. Devenu évêque , il reste simple et humble. Pour fortifier la foi des fidèles, il visite tout son évêché à pied, refusant tout autre moyen de transport. A tous ses enfants qui déplorent cet excès de fatigue, il répond : "Pour un berger qui avait l'habitude de courir derrière son troupeau, la marche est un jeu d'enfant."

Dieu fait de nombreux miracles par Saint SPYRIDON. Ainsi, losqu'une sécheresse totale s'abat sur l'île de Chypre, la population est décimée ; hommes et bêtes meurent, rien ne peut arrêter ce fléau. Saint SPYRIDON, saisi de compassion, adresse une prière ardente à Dieu, le suppliant d'arrêter la sécheresse. De gros nuages noirs viennent alors couvrir le ciel, et pour que tous comprennent qu'il s'agissait d'un miracle de Dieu ces nuages restaient suspendus au-dessus de la foule assemblée autour du Saint, sans qu'une seule goutte d'eau ne tombe. Saint SPYRIDON intensifie sa prière, versant des larmes ardentes et aussitôt une pluie bienfaisante arrose toute l'île.

En exil

A l'époque de Maximilien Galère, de grandes persécutions se soulèvent contre les chrétiens on ferme les églises, on tue et on exile les prêtres. Saint SPYRIDON est exilé en Cilicie, condamné aux travaux forcés et marqué au fer, comme tous les autres prisonniers. Ces conditions d'exil durent huit ans, jusqu'à l'avènement de l'empereur Constantin le Grand. Alors, il est libéré, avec tous les autres.

Le peuple en joie l'accueille à son retour dans l'île et ce jour est marqué par un nouveau miracle : les veilleuses de l'église, restées longtemps vides, s'emplissent d'huile et s'allument miraculeusement.

La cruauté du riche

Une autre année, le mauvais temps s'abat sur l'île. Toutes les récoltes sont détruites et les pauvres n'ont plus rien à manger, tandis que les gens aisés de l'île, qui ont des réserves dans leurs celliers, vivent dans l'abondance.

L'un de ces pauvres, père de famille, n'en pouvant plus de voir ses enfants affamés, va supplier à genoux un riche de la ville de lui prêter un peu de blé. Le riche ne le regarde même pas, et dans sa grande douleur, ce pauvre père va chercher un peu de consolation auprès de Saint SPYRIDON. Celui-ci ayant écouté son récit, lui dit : "Ne t'inquiète pas, demain tu auras tout ce dont tu as besoin pour nourrir ta famille et ce riche sera tourné en dérision. "En effet, la nuit-même, un orage terrible éclate et la pluie torrentielle emporte tout sur son passage. Les celliers du riche son inondés et l'eau dans sa fureur entraîne au dehors toutes les provisions. Le lendemain matin les rues sont couvertes de blé et tous ceux qui sont dans le besoin n'ont qu'à se baisser pour ramasser la quantité qui leur est nécessaire pour se nourrir, tandis que le riche ne peut que regarder, impuissant, son trésor s'évanouir devant lui.

Le serpent d'or

Une autre fois, un ami de Saint SPYRIDON se trouvant en grande difficulté et n'ayant pas d'autre solution, va trouver un homme riche pour lui demander un prêt. Mais le riche exige un gage. L'homme n'ayant rien qui puisse servir de gage, va se confier à Saint SPYRIDON. Celui-ci l'écoute attentivement, le réconforte et lui promet de faire tout ce qu'il pourra pour l'aider. Le lendemain en effet, il remet à son ami un très bel objet d'or en forme de serpent, à déposer en gage. Le riche voyant cet objet de valeur, prête sans difficulté à l'homme ce qu'il demande. L'année suivante, cet homme ayant pu réunir la somme empruntée, rembourse le riche et reprend le serpent d'or qu'il rend à Saint SPYRIDON. Celui-ci en prenant le serpent d'or dit à son ami avec un sourire amusé : "Allons maintenant ensemble remettre cet or à Dieu Qui, dans Sa grande miséricorde, nous l'avait prêté." Ils marchent en silence un bon moment. Arrivés près d'un joli bosquet, le saint dépose l'objet à terre, lève les yeux au ciel et prie ainsi : "Seigneur et Maître, remets-le comme il était afin que Ton Nom soit glorifié et que celui qui m'accompagne voit de quel soin tu nous entoure, nous hommes mortels."

Alors, l'or perd lentement son éclat et l'objet commence à bouger, en effet, redevenu serpent, il regagne en vitesse sa cachette d'où le Saint l'avait tiré. Encore tout émerveillé, l'ami se jette à terre et remercie, ému jusqu'aux larmes, le Seigneur de lui avoir montré Sa puissance.

Pour sauver un innocent

Un bon chrétien, ami du Saint, est condamné à mort à la suite de fausses accusations. Toujours prompt à secourir les infortunés, le Saint se mit en route pour aller délivrer l'innocent. Mais c'était en plein hiver et le cours d'un torrent tumultueux lui barra le passage. Le Saint alors prie Dieu de Lui venir en aide pour voler eu secours de l'innocent et le torrent, à sa prière, stoppa sa course pour laisser passer le Saint.

II fait un miracle au premier Concile Œcuménique

En 325, le saint empereur Constantin le Grand convoque 318 sages et saints pères de l'Eglise pour combattre l'hérésie d'Arius qui enseignait que le Christ n'est pas Dieu mais une de Ses créatures.

Dans le camp d'Arius, se trouvent Eusèbe de Nicomédie, Théogène de Nicée et Macaire de Chalcédoine et face à eux, des évêques et des prêtres dignes d'un profond respect, dont quelques colonnes de la foi orthodoxe, lumières de l'Eglise. Parmi eux, Saint SPYRIDON, écoute avec attention le discours foudroyant d'Arius ; cet exposé alliait une grande culture philosophique au feu de l'éloquence.

Les pères démontrent avec ardeur les erreurs de l'imagination d'Arius. Mais à ses côtés, il y a un philosophe arien enflé d'orgueil qui lance un défi aux orthodoxes, invitant quelqu'un parmi eux à venir se mesurer à lui dans une discussion sur la Sainte Trinité : son exposé est fulgurant, ses arguments et sa verve rendent toute discussion impossible et ne laissent aucun temps pour répondre.

Saint SPYRIDON comprend que c'est son heure. Alors que tous parlent encore avec fièvre, il s'avance et dit : "Viens philosophe et discutons ensemble". Les autres Pères le sachant pur et vertueux mais sans grande instruction, essaient de l'en dissuader afin qu'il ne soit pas ridiculisé par le philosophe. Mais le Saint bien déterminé, regarde le philosophe bien en face et lui dit :"Au nom de Jésus Christ, écoute-moi."

"Parle", lui répond le philosophe. Alors Saint SPYRIDON affirme avec calme et simplicité : "Trois sont les personnes de la Sainte Trinité, le Père, le Fils et le Saint Esprit, un est Dieu. L'intelligence humaine est trop petite pour comprendre l'immensité de la Divinité."

Veux-tu maintenant voir ce que tu ne peux saisir intellectuellement ? Regarde, dit-il en sortant une tuile de sa poche. Si je te demande combien d'objets je tiens dans la main, tu me répondras : un seul. Et pourtant, voici la preuve que ce que tu crois être un ne l'est pas". Faisant alors le Signe de croix, il dit : "Au nom du Père" et à ces mots, à la stupéfaction générale une flamme s'élève, de la tuile qu'il tient dans sa main, vers le ciel ; la flamme qui avait cuit la tuile. Le saint, rempli de la Grâce de Dieu, continue humblement : "Et du Fils"... de l'eau s'échappe de la tuile et tombe à terre... "Et du Saint Esprit". Dans la main du saint, il ne reste plus que la terre. "Trois", dit-il, "étaient les éléments qui composaient cette tuile et pourtant, ils ne faisaient qu'un. Ainsi en est-il de la Sainte Trinité".

Le fameux philosophe reste un temps sans voix, puis il dit à Saint SPYRIDON : "Je crois et je confesse, saint homme, tout ce que tu as dit". Et s'adressant à Arius et à ses amis, il les cita à faire de même. Ainsi le Concile se termine dans la joie pour les Pères de l'Eglise, à la grande confusion des Ariens.

La morte répond

De retour à Chypre, Saint SPYRIDON apprend la mort subite de sa fille Irène. Une voisine très embarrassée vient un jour lui dire qu'elle avait confié à Irène un bijou de valeur dont elle a grand besoin. Le saint cherche dans toute la maison sans rien trouver. Alors il se rend au cimetière accompagné de cette femme et de quelques voisins. Là, se penchant sur la tombe de sa fille, il lui demande, comme si elle était encore en vie : "Irène, mon enfant, où as-tu mis ce que cette femme t'a confié ?" et celle-ci lui répondit d'une voix distincte où se trouvait le bijou. Après avoir demandé à sa fille de se rendormir jusqu'au jour de la Résurrection, le saint rentre chez lui et trouve, en effet l'objet à l'endroit que sa fille avait indiqué. Les témoins de ce miracle, stupéfaits, se signèrent en rendant grâce à Dieu pour le don que le saint avait reçu.

Le songe de Constance

A la mort de Constantin le Grand, ses deux fils se partagent l'empire : Constance hérite de la partie orientale de l'empire et manifeste ouvertement de la sympathie pour l'arianisme. De séjour à Antioche, il est atteint d'un mal dont aucun médecin ne peut le délivrer. S'en remettant à Dieu, Constance Le prie chaque jour humblement et avec foi pour sa guérison. Une nuit, il fait un songe. L'ange du Seigneur lui montre une assemblée d'évêques, au sein de laquelle deux hommes semblent particulièrement honorés, et lui dit : "Seuls ces deux évêques peuvent te guérir." II se réveille stupéfait, avec le souvenir de ces visages, sur lesquelles l'ange n'avait pas mis de nom. Il décide de convier à Antioche tous les évêques de son empire mais il ne découvre parmi eux les deux évêques de son rêve. En s'informant, il apprend que les évêques de l'île de Chypre étaient absents et les fait convoquer.

Saint SPYRIDON accompagné de Trifillios, son ami et disciple, arrive au palais d'Antioche. Là un domestique, voyant la pauvreté de leurs habits, les chasse à coups de bâton les prenant pour des mendiants. Lorsque peu après, ils se font reconnaître, le domestique implore à genoux le pardon... qu'il reçoit aussitôt.

L'empereur reconnaît aussitôt en SPYRIDON l'un des évêques de son rêve, tandis que le visage de Trifillios lui est étranger, (encore très jeune celui-ci ne deviendra évêque que beaucoup plus tard). II se précipite alors aux pieds de Saint SPYRIDON, implorant la bénédiction de celui qui, seul, peut le guérir. En effet, dès que le saint touche la tête de l'empereur, sa maladie disparaît. Le saint l'engage alors de préserver la santé de son âme par la fidélité à l'enseignement orthodoxe et par la bonté envers ses sujets.

L'enfant mort

En sortant du palais le saint, accompagné d'Artémidore, un ami diacre, accepte l'hospitalité d'un notable d'Antioche qui le prie de venir chez lui manger et dormir. Une femme étrangère vient alors l'y trouver. Elle ne parle pas le grec et tient dans ses bras son enfant mort. En pleurant, elle le dépose aux pieds du saint attendant manifestement un miracle. Rempli de compassion, le saint hésite cependant à formuler une telle demande à Dieu. II se confie à Artémidore qui, le voyant indécis lui dit : "Dieu semble écouter ta prière, reçois donc les supplications de cette femme et demande à Dieu de rendre la vie à son enfant. Tu as guéri l'empereur et tu abandonnerais les pauvres ?" Le saint se met alors à genoux, sa prière fervente s'élève vers Dieu du fond du cœur. Les larmes coulent de ses yeux tandis qu'il demande au Seigneur de ressusciter l'enfant pour le bonheur de sa mère. Dieu entendit sa prière et l'enfant reprenant vie se tourne vers sa mère qui pleurait ; celle-ci le voyant revivre perd connaissance et meurt à son tour.

Artémidore alors insiste auprès du saint : "Continue" le supplie-t-il, "l'enfant ne doit pas rester orphelin !" Le saint s'approche de la femme morte et dit : "Au nom du Seigneur, lève-toi". Alors elle se met debout, elle remercie Dieu, prend son enfant et s'en va. Saint SPYRIDON demanda alors au diacre et à sa femme de ne rien ébruiter de ces évènements aussi longtemps qu'il serait en vie.

La chèvre volée

De retour à l'île de Chypre, un marchand de bétail vient trouver le saint pour lui acheter quelques chèvres. Après avoir convenu du prix de chaque bête, le saint invite le marchand à aller les chercher dans la bergerie. Celui-ci, voyant que le saint ne le surveille pas, se dit qu'il a devant lui l'occasion rêvée pour s'offrir une petite chèvre de plus pour le même prix... ce qu'il fait. Quelques mètres plus loin, la chèvre volée s'échappe et retourne à la bergerie. Le marchand vient la reprendre, mais la chèvre récidive. La troisième fois, le saint qui avait tout compris lui dit : "Mon enfant, est-ce parce que tu as oublié de la payer qu'elle ne veut pas te suivre ?" Stupéfait le marchand avoue et paie la chèvre supplémentaire qui le suivit alors sans problème.

Le diacre orgueilleux

Un soir, le saint arrive au village d'Erythra. Exténué par une longue marche, mais désirant assister aux vêpres avant de s'accorder du repos, il entre dans l'église du village et prie le diacre d'accélérer un peu le rythme de son chant. Mais le diacre qui était amoureux de sa belle voix n'en finissait pas de s'admirer en s'épanouissant sur un rythme très lent. Le saint, voyant que ce diacre souffrait de vaine gloire, voulut l'en délivrer; alors au moment où le diacre chantait "Seigneur j'ai crié vers Toi" le saint tonna :"Silence!" et le diacre perdit la voix. Le saint termina seul l'office.

Plus tard les villageois, mis au courant, viennent supplier le saint de rendre sa voix au diacre, devenu muet. Par la prière du saint celui-ci retrouve la voix, mais elle est moins belle ; elle risque donc moins de l'entraîner à la vaine gloire et à l'amour de soi et de lui faire oublier son ministère.

La mélodie céleste et l'huile de la veilleuse

Un des miracles cités dans le tropaire du saint est le suivant : Un soir le saint entre à l'église pour célébrer les vêpres. Dans l'église il n'y avait que le diacre qui allumait les veilleuses. Comme le saint avait commencé la célébration, le diacre entend une mélodie d'une multitude de voix qui répond : "Et à ton esprit". Ce même chœur mélodieux répondait également "Kyrie éléison" aux prières du diacre. Cette mélodie céleste se fit entendre également au dehors, et une foule de gens stupéfaits envahit bientôt l'église, mais dans l'église il n'y avait que le saint et le diacre ; ils comprennent alors que ces voix mélodieuses venaient du ciel et dans une grande émotion ils glorifiaient Dieu.

Un autre soir, également pendant les vêpres, la grande veilleuse qui servait à éclairer l'église se trouve vide et c'est l'obscurité. Mais pas pour longtemps car une force invisible, la force du Seigneur, remplit soudain la veilleuse ; de l'huile en abondance déborde de la veilleuse que les fidèles s'empressent de recueillir précieusement. Un grand nombre de récipients furent ainsi remplis de cette huile sanctifiée.

La fin du saint

Saint Spyridon rendit paisiblement son âme à Dieu le 12 décembre 348, à l'âge de 78 ans. Son saint corps fut une source de miracles et des guérisons pour sa patrie, l'île de Chypre, jusqu'au 7ème siècle. Ensuite, sous la menace de l'invasion arabe, on le transféra à Constantinople. A la prise de la ville par les turcs, son corps précieux fut transporté par un prêtre, du nom de Grégoire Polyeucte, d'abord en Epire et en 1456 à Corfou où il se trouve encore. Jusqu'à aujourd'hui son saint corps reste incorruptible, intact, souple et mobile. II est une source permanente de miracles pour les habitants de l'île de Corfou, qu'il délivre en 1673 d'une épidémie de choléra et en 1716 d'une invasion islamique et qui le vénèrent comme protecteur de leur île. II est également une source de miracles pour tous les chrétiens qui le vénèrent et le prient avec foi.

SOURCE : http://www.orthodoxa.org/FR/orthodoxie/synaxaire/StSpyridon.htm

, p. 317. Saint Spiiudion, évêque de Trémithonte dans lîle deChypre; I2 décembre, vers 348. Présentant un serpent àun pauvre. Il avait une grande réputation de charité, aussi lesmalheureux sadressaient-ils à lui avec confiance. Mais un jour qu’un mendiant lui demandait assistance, le saint, qui navait rien à lui donner, ramassa un serpent que le pauvre ne se souciait guère d’accepter. Cependant encouragé par l’évêque, il tendit la main ; et la bête se convertit en or. 
Saint Spiriilion. duquel senroule un serpent; ou des serpents qui fuient devant ce bâton. Cela signifie que durant son exil il chassa entièrement les reptiles qui infestaient l’île Gallinaria dans la Méditerranée, près de Gênes (aujour-dhui Galiinara). Selon dautres récits, il n’aurait pas précisément débarrassé l’île entière de ces animaux;mais les relégua tout simplement dans un coin du pays,où il planta son bâton pour leur servir de limite qu’ils ne devaient plus dépasser. Serait-ce, peut-être, une manière d’exprimer que le saint avait chassé l’arianisme du milieu de ce peuple ? 

Fresco of Saint Spyridon above the church portal, Church of Saint Spyridon (18th century). Berat (Albania). Borough of Gorica

Saint Spyridon

The Saint of the Corfiots and patron saint of the island, the wonder worker Saint who saved the island of Faiakon many times with his miracles from disaster and starvation, to whom thousands of believers turn to until today seeking comfort and help, Saint Spyridon never set foot on the island.

He was born into a poor family in Trymithounda of Cyprus, close to Salamina in 270 A.C. Although he was a simple and illiterate Shepard he distinguished himself for his faith in God, his humbleness and his charity. He had a daughter called Eirini from his marriage. When he became a widower he turned completely to God and became a clergyman. The reputation he gained was so big that when the bishop of Trymithounda died the believers announced him bishop.

Even then Spyridon did not distinguish himself from the rest of the poor people, who consisted his flock. He wore the same simple clothes as he did before, the same cap that was made of leafs of pine trees while his life was also poor as he kept sharing his belongings with the poor. He would walk everywhere, occupy himself with agricultural work and continued to be a good Shepard looking after his flock. His reputation grew more when with his miracles he helped people who turned to him seeking his help.

SAINT SPYRIDON AT THE ECUMENICAL SYNOD OF NICE IN 314 AC

Spyridon as the bishop of Trymithounda took place in the A' Ecumenical Synod of Nice in 314 AC, convened by the emperor Kontsantinos, in order for the Fathers of the church to decide about the theories of Areiou.

Areios an educated Father from Alexandria, considered Christ a building of God and rejected his three persons nature. Spyridon already well known for his preaching, although illiterate, managed to oppose to Areios theories and prove the true nature of God, the consubstantial of the Holy Trinity, with the miracle with the roof tile.

After comparing the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – with the roof tile and its three components that unite it – fire, water and earth – he held a roof tile in his hand and immediately fire was created. After he ran towards earth water and in the end the only thing left in his hand was earth. After this miracle Areios was embarrassed and he apologized.

Spyridon died old on the 12th of December 358AC at the age of 88 and was nominated by our church as a Saint.

SAINT SPYRIDON “REACHES CORFU”

When the Saracen arrived on the island of Cyprus the believers opened the grave of Saint Spyridon, in order to transfer the relic to Constantinople with the purpose of saving the relic from the hands of the unfaithful. In surprise they realized that the relic of the Saint was maintained intact while the grave smelt of basil.

The holy relic was transferred to the Vasileuousa where it remained until 1456. Then three years after the fall of Constantinople by the Ottomans, a priest of Corfiot origin, Father George Kaloheretis, hid the relic of Saint Spyridon as well as that of Saint Theodora the Augusta in a basket and after covering them with grass he took them to Constantinople.

Crossing Thrace, Macedonia and the Greek continent in big danger he reached Corfu. The holy relics that were initially placed in the temple of Saint Athanasiou, were inherited by the three sons of Kaloheretis, Markos, Loukas and Filippos. Markos share, the relic of Saint Theodora the Augusta was donated in 1483 to the Corfiots. The heirs of the relic of Saint Spyridon tried to transfer the holy relic outside of Corfu but they met the vigorous resistance of the Corfiots and they abandoned their plan. Finally they transferred their rights to Asimina the daughter of Filippos. The relic eventually passed into the ownership of the Voulgari family as Asiminas dowry when she got married to Stamatello Voulgari in 1520. Since then and for four centuries until 1925 it belonged to the family. Initially and until 1528 the relic was transferred to the Cathedral temple of the Brigadier Michail in Kampielo. In 1528 Stamatellos Voulgaris transferred it to the temple that the family built in honor of the Saint on the Suburbs of Sarokko (Saint Rokko). However in 1537, during the first siege of Corfu by the Turks the relic was transferred for safety to the temple of Saint Anargyron at the Old Fortress and returned after the cease of the siege. In 1577 the demolition of the temple was decided in order to extend the walls. The relic was transferred temporarily again to the temple of Saint Nikolas of the Foreigners in Garitsa until 1589 when todays temple opened its doors, the completion of which took place approximately in 1594 and it remains there until today.

In 1967 the holy temple of Saint Spyridon in Corfu was recognized officially as as same N.P. [D]. [D] with a Presidential Decree, under the name “Holy Adoration of Saint Spyridonos Corfu”.

SOURCE : http://www.kerkyrainfo.gr/corfuisland/corfuisland/corfusaintspyridon/index.html

The temple of Saint Spyridon

The temple of Saint Spyridon, one of the most important post Byzantine monuments of the town of Corfu, constitutes an attraction pole for the visitors of the town and the island of Corfu.

It is within easy reach, as you walk into the Old Town and down the street of Nikiforou Theotoki, while you have left the Liston behind you, you will come across the homonym square with the Holy Temple dominating at the back.

The exterior of the building is simple. It has a wooden roof of royal rhythm,once owned by the Voulgari family, that also owned the relics of the Saint, it looks more like the Christian temples of the West than the East, as the strict byzantine standards are missing, that are found on the mainland of Greece.

It is an event easily explained since Corfu was for many centuries occupied by Venetians and never met Ottoman occupation, characteristic of all the Ionian islands that have obtained the influence of the Italian revival and accordingly the art of the 17th century.

The shape of the roof is oblong and low as in all the temples of the Ionian islands, with an impressive tower belfry that assembles impressively the belfry of the temple of Saint George of the Greeks in Venice (San Giorgio dei Greci), with witch it was built during approximately the same time.

 When you walk in through the entrance your glance will be captured by the “ourania”(Urany), the roof of the temple, that consists of 17 golden panels on which scenes of the life of saint spyridon and of the Gospels are represented. The frames of the panels are authentic while the murals are copies of the originals, that Panagiotis Doksaras had painted in 1727. The murals, that were destroyed by the humidity, were replaced by Aspiotis in the 19th century.

The marble chancel screen of the temple, that almost touches the “ourania” (Urany), an artifact of the 20th century, was another characteristic of the Ionian architecture. It is to be noted that the old stone chancel screen of the temple was transferred to the temple of Saint George at the Old Fortress, a temple that has its own history. The relic of Saint Spyridon is kept in a silver luxury larnaxe, an artifact of the 19th century that is located at the right in the temple.

It is worth to be noted that the original temple was built in Sarokko but its demolition was necessary in order to extend the walls of the fortress. The current temple was built in 1589.

SOURCE : http://www.kerkyrainfo.gr/corfuisland/corfuisland/corfusaintspyridon/corfuthetemleofsaintspyridon/index.html

Icon of w:Saint Spyridon above the door of his church in w:Nafplio. Taken in July 2002 by w:Jpbrenna.

The Life of St Spyridon

Saint Spyridon of Tremithus was born towards the end of the third century on the island of Cyprus. He was a shepherd, and had a wife and children. He used all his substance for the needs of his neighbors and the homeless, for which the Lord rewarded him with a gift of wonderworking. He healed the incurably sick and cast out demons.

After the death of his wife, during the reign of Constantine the Great (306-337), he was made Bishop of Tremithus, Cyprus. As bishop, the saint did not change his manner of life, but combined pastoral service with deeds of charity.

According to the witness of Church historians, St. Spyridon participated in the sessions of the First Ecumenical Council in the year 325. At the Council, the saint entered into a dispute with a Greek philosopher who was defending the Arian heresy. The plain direct speaking of St. Spyridon showed everyone the impotence of human wisdom before the divine Wisdom: "Listen, philosopher, to what I tell you. There is one God Who created man from dust. He has ordered all things, both visible and invisible, by His Word and His Spirit. The Word is the Son of God, Who came down upon the earth on account of our sins. He was born of a Virgin, He lived among men, and suffered and died for our salvation, and then He arose from the dead, and He has resurrected the human race with Him. We believe that He is One in Essence with the Father, and equal to Him in authority and honor. We believe this without any sly rationalizations, for it is impossible to grasp this mystery by human reason."

As a result of their discussion, the opponent of Christianity became the saint's zealous defender and later accepted holy Baptism. And after his conversation with St. Spyridon, turning towards his companions, the philosopher said: "Listen! Until now my rivals have presented their arguments, and I was able to refute their proofs with other proofs. But instead of proofs from reason, the words of this elder are filled with some sort of special power, and no one can refute them, since it is impossible that man can oppose God. If any of you thinks as I do now, let him believe in Christ and join me in following this man, through whose lips God Himself speaks."

At this Council, St. Spyridon displayed the unity of the Holy Trinity in a remarkable way. He took a brick in his hand and squeezed it. At that instant fire shot up from it, water dripped on the ground, and only dust remained in the hands of the wonderworker. "There was only one brick," St. Spyridon said, "but it was composed of three elements. In the Holy Trinity there are three Persons, but only one God."

The saint cared for his flock with great love. Through his prayer, drought was replaced by abundant rains, and incessant rains were replaced by fair weather. Through his prayers the sick were healed and demons cast out.

A woman once came up to him with a dead child in her arms, imploring the intercession of the saint. He prayed, and the infant was restored to life. The mother, overcome with joy, collapsed lifeless. Through the prayer of the saint of God the mother was restored to life.

Another time, hastening to save his friend, who had been falsely accused and sentenced to death, the saint was hindered on his way by the unanticipated flooding of a stream. The saint commanded the water: "Halt! For the Lord of all the world commands that you permit me to cross so that a man may be saved." The will of the saint was fulfilled, and he crossed over happily to the other shore. The judge, apprised of the miracle that had occurred, received St. Spyridon with esteem and set his friend free.

Similar instances are known from the life of the saint. Once, he went into an empty church, and ordered that the lampadas and candles be lit, and then he began the service. When he said, "Peace be unto all," both he and the deacon heard from above the resounding of "a great multitude of voices saying, "And with thy spirit." This choir was majestic and more sweetly melodious than any human choir. To each petition of the litanies, the invisible choir sang, "Lord, have mercy." Attracted by the church singing, the people who lived nearby hastened towards it. As they got closer and closer to the church, the wondrous singing filled their ears and gladdened their hearts. But when they entered into the church, they saw no one but the bishop and several church servers, and they no longer heard the singing which had greatly astonished them."

St. Simeon Metaphrastes (November 9), the author of his Life, likened St. Spyridon to the Patriarch Abraham in his hospitality. Sozomen, in his CHURCH HISTORY, offers an amazing example from the life of the saint of how he received strangers. One time, at the start of the Forty-day Fast, a stranger knocked at his door. Seeing that the traveller was very exhausted, St. Spyridon said to his daughter, "Wash the feet of this man, so he may recline to dine." But since it was Lent there were none of the necessary provisions, for the saint "partook of food only on certain days, and on other days he went without food." His daughter replied that there was no bread or flour in the house. Then St. Spyridon, apologizing to his guest, ordered his daughter to cook a salted ham from their larder. After seating the stranger at table, he began to eat, urging that man to do the same. When the latter refused, calling himself a Christian, the saint rejoined, "It is not proper to refuse this, for the Word of God proclaims, "Unto the pure all things are pure" (Tit. 1:15).

Another historical detail reported by Sozomen, was characteristic of the saint. It was his custom to distribute one part of the gathered harvest to the destitute, and another portion to those having need while in debt. He did not take a portion for himself, but simply showed them the entrance to his storeroom, where each could take as much as was needed, and could later pay it back in the same way, without records or accountings.

There is also the tale by Socrates Scholasticus about how robbers planned to steal the sheep of St. Spyridon. They broke into the sheepfold at night, but here they found themselves all tied up by some invisible power. When morning came the saint went to his flock, and seeing the tied-up robbers, he prayed and released them. For a long while he advised them to leave their path of iniquity and earn their livelihood by respectable work. Then he made them a gift of a sheep and sending them off, the saint said kindly, "Take this for your trouble, so that you did not spend a sleepless night in vain."

All the Lives of the saint speak of the amazing simplicity and the gift of wonderworking granted him by God. Through a word of the saint the dead were awakened, the elements of nature tamed, the idols smashed. At one point, a Council had been convened at Alexandria by the Patriarch to discuss what to do about the idols and pagan temples there. Through the prayers of the Fathers of the Council all the idols fell down except one, which was very much revered. It was revealed to the Patriarch in a vision that this idol had to be shattered by St. Spyridon of Tremithus. Invited by the Council, the saint set sail on a ship, and at the moment the ship touched shore and the saint stepped out on land, the idol in Alexandria with all its offerings turned to dust, which then was reported to the Patriarch and all the bishops.

St. Spyridon lived his earthly life in righteousness and sanctity, and prayerfully surrendered his soul to the Lord. His relics repose on the island of Corfu (Kerkyra), in a church named after him (His right hand, however, is located in Rome). His memory is also celebrated on Cheesefare Saturday.


The Religious Processions of Saint Spyridon

In Palm Sunday, Easter Saturday, August 11th and the first Sunday in November the body of St. Spyridon, is carried in solemn procession along the streets of Corfu on routes prescribed by tradition.

The great Palm Sunday procession commemorates the miraculous deliverance of the island from a deadly plague. The windows of most houses along the route of the procession are decorated with purple, gold-fringed draperies in honor of the Saint; the custom dates back to Venetian times and has its origin in Byzantium. The procession is attended by the clergy, headed by the Metropolitan, by representatives of the secondary schools and Boy Scouts, the three brass bands of Corfu town, and others from the villages. All the civic and state authorities, as well as detachments of the armed forces, take part in the procession. We must return to the seventeenth century to learn the origin of the procession. Large crowds gathered in despair in St. Spyridon's Church and prayed to the Saint for salvation from the plague, which had already taken the lives of sixty citizens. From that day the number of death was gradually reduced and at the same time a light like that of a small lamp was seen at night on the top of the Saint's belfry and was observed by the night sentinels of the Old Fortress. By Palm Sunday the epidemic was over and this was ascribed to the miraculous intervention of the Saint. The whole of the rejoicing population, in a show of gratitude, carried their Patron Saint in procession. The Venetian Governor, at the request of the people of Corfu, decreed on the 21st of June 1630 that henceforth a procession would be held on Palm Sunday every year.

The Easter Saturday procession commemorates the relief of the island from famine, and is the oldest of the four processions and the most solemn, since it is combined with the Orthodox ritual carrying the Epitaph, a gilt bier representing the body of Jesus Christ being borne to the grave. On this occasion the canopy is not held over the Saint but over the Epitaph. This custom dates back to 1574, when the Venetian Senate prohibited the Greek Orthodox processions of the Epitaph taking place on Good Friday. Local custom and tradition has for this reason moved the Epitaph procession from Good Friday to Easter Saturday exclusively for the Church of St. Spyridon. The Saint's body is not replaced in its permanent silver casket when the procession is over, but is exposed day and night for general worship by the faithful until the afternoon of Easter Tuesday. The story of this procession reaches back to the middle of the sixteenth century. According to the legend of the Saint, the inhabitants of Corfu were suffering from famine since no grain ships could sail owing contrary winds. Unexpectedly, on Easter Saturday, ships loaded with flour sailed into Corfu harbor. They were sailing past the island and had been diverted thither by St. Spyridon who appeared in a dream to the captains and induced them to change their course and sail at once to Corfu because the population was starving. The flour was unloaded and distributed to the inhabitants who thus satisfied their hunger and celebrated Easter joyfully. According to historical evidence Easter Saturday procession was probably first held in the second half of the sixteenth century.

The third procession of St. Spyridon is held on 11th of August, in remembrance of the Saint's deliverance of the island from the Turkish siege of 1716. The legend of the Saint mentions that there appeared to the enemy Saint Spyridon surrounded by a glorious heavenly host, holding in his right hand flashing sword, and furiously pursuing them. On its return to the church the Saint's body is exposed for general worship for three days and two nights.

The last in the calendar of the processions of St. Spyridon is that on the first Sunday in November in commemoration of the miraculous intercession of the Saint in saving Corfu from deadly plague, which twice visited the island in the seventeenth century. The history of the procession goes back to 1673. The pestilence was first identified in one of the suburbs and soon spread all over the town; the entire population was gripped by terror of death. For three nights a light was seen by the local inhabitants on the bell-tower of his Church and the figure of Saint Spyridon, carrying cross in one hand, appeared driving the pestilence away. The Venetian Governor, at request of the people of Corfu, sanctioned by decree on the 29th of October 1673 that the procession be held every year on the first Sunday in November.   

Hellege Spyridon an der Griichesch-orthodoxer Kierch zu Weiler-la-Tour. Photographie : Sultan Edijingo


Apolytikion in the First Tone

O Father, God-bearer, Spyridon, you were proven a champion and Wonder Worker of the First Ecumenical Council.

You spoke to the girl in the grave and turned the serpent to gold.

And, when chanting your prayers, most sacred One, angels ministered with you.

Glory to Him who glorified you;

glory to Him who crowned you;

glory to Him who, through you, works healing for all.

 

Της Συνόδου της πρώτης ανεδείχθης υπέρμαχος,

και θαυματουργός Θεοφόρε Σπυρίδων πατήρ ημών,

διο νεκρά συ εν τάφω προσφωνείς

και όφιν εις χρυσούν μετέβαλες

και εν τω μέλπειν τας αγίας σου ευχάς.

Αγγέλους έσχες συλλειτουργούντας σοι, Ιερώτατε.

Δόξα τω σε δοξάσαντι, δόξα τω σε στεφανώσαντι,

δόξα τω ενεργούντι δια σου πάσιν ιάματα.


SOURCE : http://www.stspyridon.org.au/ourFaith.php?articleId=83&subMenu=Saints


Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker, Bishop of Tremithus

Commemorated on December 12

Troparion & Kontakion

Saint Spyridon of Tremithus was born towards the end of the third century on the island of Cyprus. He was a shepherd, and had a wife and children. He used all his substance for the needs of his neighbors and the homeless, for which the Lord rewarded him with a gift of wonderworking. He healed those who were incurably sick, and cast out demons.

After the death of his wife, during the reign of Constantine the Great (306-337), he was made Bishop of Tremithus, Cyprus. As a bishop, the saint did not alter his manner of life, but combined pastoral service with deeds of charity.

According to the witness of Church historians, Saint Spyridon participated in the sessions of the First Ecumenical Council in the year 325. At the Council, the saint entered into a dispute with a Greek philosopher who was defending the Arian heresy. The power of Saint Spyridon’s plain, direct speech showed everyone the importance of human wisdom before God’s Wisdom: “Listen, philosopher, to what I tell you. There is one God Who created man from dust. He has ordered all things, both visible and invisible, by His Word and His Spirit. The Word is the Son of God, Who came down upon the earth on account of our sins. He was born of a Virgin, He lived among men, and suffered and died for our salvation, and then He arose from the dead, and He has resurrected the human race with Him. We believe that He is one in essence (consubstantial) with the Father, and equal to Him in authority and honor. We believe this without any sly rationalizations, for it is impossible to grasp this mystery by human reason.”

As a result of their discussion, the opponent of Christianity became the saint’s zealous defender and later received holy Baptism. After his conversation with Saint Spyridon, the philosopher turned to his companions and said, “Listen! Until now my rivals have presented their arguments, and I was able to refute their proofs with other proofs. But instead of proofs from reason, the words of this Elder are filled with some sort of special power, and no one can refute them, since it is impossible for man to oppose God. If any of you thinks as I do now, let him believe in Christ and join me in following this man, for God Himself speaks through his lips.”

At this Council, Saint Spyridon displayed the unity of the Holy Trinity in a remarkable way. He took a brick in his hand and squeezed it. At that instant fire shot up from it, water dripped on the ground, and only dust remained in the hands of the wonderworker. “There was only one brick,” Saint Spyridon said, “but it was composed of three elements. In the Holy Trinity there are three Persons, but only one God.”

The saint cared for his flock with great love. Through his prayers, drought was replaced by abundant rains, and incessant rains were replaced by fair weather. Through his prayers the sick were healed and demons cast out.

A woman once came up to him with a dead child in her arms, imploring the intercession of the saint. He prayed, and the infant was restored to life. The mother, overcome with joy, collapsed lifeless. Through the prayers of the saint of God, the mother was restored to life.

Another time, hastening to save his friend, who had been falsely accused and sentenced to death, the saint was hindered on his way by the unanticipated flooding of a stream. The saint commanded the water: “Halt! For the Lord of all the world commands that you permit me to cross so that a man may be saved.” The will of the saint was fulfilled, and he crossed over happily to the other shore. The judge, apprised of the miracle that had occurred, received Saint Spyridon with esteem and set his friend free.

Similar instances are known from the life of the saint. Once, he went into an empty church, and ordered that the lampadas and candles be lit, and then he began the service. When he said, “Peace be unto all,” both he and the deacon heard from above the resounding of a great multitude of voices saying, “And with thy spirit.” This choir was majestic and more sweetly melodious than any human choir. To each petition of the litanies, the invisible choir sang, “Lord, have mercy.” Attracted by the church singing, the people who lived nearby hastened towards it. As they got closer and closer to the church, the wondrous singing filled their ears and gladdened their hearts. But when they entered into the church, they saw no one but the bishop and several church servers, and they no longer heard the singing which had greatly astonished them.

Saint Simeon Metaphrastes (November 9), the author of his Life, likened Saint Spyridon to the Patriarch Abraham in his hospitality. Sozomen, in his Church History, offers an amazing example from the life of the saint of how he received strangers. One time, at the start of the Forty-day Fast, a stranger knocked at his door. Seeing that the traveller was very exhausted, Saint Spyridon said to his daughter, “Wash the feet of this man, so he may recline to dine.” But since it was Lent there were none of the necessary provisions, for the saint “partook of food only on certain days, and on other days he went without food.” His daughter replied that there was no bread or flour in the house. Then Saint Spyridon, apologizing to his guest, ordered his daughter to cook a salted ham from their larder. After seating the stranger at table, he began to eat, urging that man to do the same. When the latter refused, calling himself a Christian, the saint rejoined, “It is not proper to refuse this, for the Word of God proclaims, ‘Unto the pure all things are pure’” (Titus 1:15).

Another historical detail reported by Sozomen, was characteristic of the saint. It was his custom to distribute one part of the gathered harvest to the destitute, and another portion to those having need while in debt. He did not take a portion for himself, but simply showed them the entrance to his storeroom, where each could take as much as was needed, and could later pay it back in the same way, without records or accountings.

There is also the tale by Socrates Scholasticus about how robbers planned to steal the sheep of Saint Spyridon. They broke into the sheepfold at night, but here they found themselves all tied up by some invisible power. When morning came the saint went to his flock, and seeing the tied-up robbers, he prayed and released them. For a long while he advised them to leave their path of iniquity and earn their livelihood by respectable work. Then he made them a gift of a sheep and sending them off, the saint said kindly, “Take this for your trouble, so that you did not spend a sleepless night in vain.”

All the Lives of the saint speak of the amazing simplicity and the gift of wonderworking granted him by God. Through a word of the saint the dead were awakened, the elements of nature tamed, the idols smashed. At one point, a Council had been convened at Alexandria by the Patriarch to discuss what to do about the idols and pagan temples there. Through the prayers of the Fathers of the Council all the idols fell down except one, which was very much revered. It was revealed to the Patriarch in a vision that this idol had to be shattered by Saint Spyridon of Tremithus. Invited by the Council, the saint set sail on a ship, and at the moment the ship touched shore and the saint stepped out on land, the idol in Alexandria with all its offerings turned to dust, which then was reported to the Patriarch and all the bishops.

Saint Spyridon lived his earthly life in righteousness and sanctity, and prayerfully surrendered his soul to the Lord. His relics repose on the island of Corfu (Kerkyra), in a church named after him (His right hand, however, is located in Rome).

His memory is also celebrated on Cheesefare Saturday.

SOURCE : https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/12/12/103526-saint-spyridon-the-wonderworker-bishop-of-tremithus

One of the pairs of St. Spyridon's slippers, housed at the cathedral dedicated to him in Worcester, Massachusetts

St. Spiridon

Born into a family of shepherds, Spiridon followed the family occupation like David the King and Prophet, and the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He married and had children, but his wife died early in their marriage. A single parent, Spiridon n ot only earned a living and raised his children, but also found the time and the resources to be conspicuously hospitable to strangers and to the poor.

As he grew in the love of God and man, God gave him the gift of healing the sick and driving out demon s with a single word. As a result of his holy life and the miracles God performed through him, Spiridon was chosen and ordained bishop of his home town, the city of Tremithus on the island of Cyprus during the reign of St. Constantine the Great.

Called to take part in the Council of Nicaea in 325, Spiridon, though not well-educated, surprised everyone by converting a famous philosopher to Orthodoxy from Arianism. He explained the unity and diversity of the Trinity by holding up a brick, then commonly thought to be a combination of the elements fire, earth and water; as he spoke, fire blazed from the top of the brick while water gushed out underneath.

When he arrived back home a woman told him that she had given his daughter, who had died while he was gone, several valuable pieces of jewelry for safekeeping. Now that his daughter was dead, no one could find where she had hidden them. Spiridon went to his daughter’s grave, spoke to her, and was able to restore the jewelry to its owner.

During a famine Spiridon changed a snake into gold pieces so that a poor man could buy food from a greedy merchant who had cornered the supply.

One day there was only himself and the deacon and readers in church at vespers. Spiridon began the service and the responses were audibly and beautifully chanted by an unseen choir. The music was so beautiful that others, passing by, heard it and saw through the windows what seemed like a large congregation. Entering the church, however, they found only St. Spiridon and his assistants.

Spiridon fell asleep in the Lord in the year 348 and was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Tremithus. His body became an object of wonder because it retained the flexibility of living flesh. So many miracles were attributed to his interces sions before the throne of God that his shrine became a place of pilgrimage. Removed to Constantinople and then to Serbia to avoid its falling into the hands of unbelievers, it is now enshrined on the island of Corfu in Greece. He is called a “walking saint” because the silk slippers which clothe the feet of his relics wear out each year and are replaced on his feast day.

Holy Saint Spiridon, pray to God for us!

This story of the life of St. Spiridon is from the book “St. Spiridon’s Cathedral, A Century in Seattle”, ed. Alan Mack, (c) 1995 St. Spiridon’s Cathedral

SOURCE : https://www.saintspiridon.org/st-spiridon/

Icon showing Saint Spyridon (center, front) silencing Arius (right, with hands over his mouth) during the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325.


San Spiridione di Trimithonte Vescovo

12 dicembre

270 - 344

San Spiridione, pur avendo origini assai umili, divenne vescovo di una piccola zona remota nord-orientale dell'isola di Cipro, nei pressi di Salamina. Secondo lo storico Socrate, egli fu ritenuto degno della carica episcopale proprio per la santità dimostrata nell'attività precedente e fu così che fu fatto pastore di uomini nella città cipriota di Trimithonte. La sua profonda umiltà lo portò a continuare a pascolare anche il suo gregge animale, nonostante l'alto ufficio ecclesiastico assunto. Una leggenda narra che un giorno riuscì a catturare dei ladri che avevano tentato di rubargli delle pecore, pregò con loro, li liberò ed infine donò addirittura loro un montone, così da non aver trascorso l'intera notte svegli invano. Secondo alcune fonti avrebbe partecipato al Concilio di Nicea nel 325. Spiridione rimase coinvolto nella persecuzione anticristiana indetta da Galerio: secondo alcune tradizioni in tale contesto storico venne ferito e poi fu deportato ai lavori forzati nelle miniere. Alla sua morte, le reliquie furono traslate da Cipro a Costantinopoli, poi a Corfù, Zachitos e Cefalonia. (Avvenire)

Etimologia: Spiridione = regalo, dono, dal greco

Emblema: Bastone pastorale, Pallio, Berretto da pastore

Martirologio Romano: Nell’isola di Cipro, san Spiridone, vescovo, vero pastore delle sue pecore, le cui straordinarie azioni erano celebrate dalla bocca di tutti.

San Spiridione, pur avendo origini assai umili, proveniva infatti da una famiglia di pastori, divenne vescovo di una piccola zona remota nord-orientale dell’isola di Cipro, nei pressi di Salamina. Secondo lo storico Socrate, egli fu ritenuto degno della carica episcopale proprio per la santità dimostrata nell’attività precedente e fu così che fu fatto pastore di uomini nella città cipriota di Trimithonte. La sua profonda umiltà lo portò a continuare a pascolare anche il suo gregge animale, nonostante l’alto ufficio ecclesiastico assunto.

Spiridione fu un vescovo molto amato. Una leggenda narra che un giorno riuscì a catturare dei ladri che avevano tentato di rubargli delle pecore, pregò con loro, li liberò ed infine donò addirittura loro un montone, così da non aver trascorso l’intera notte svegli invano.

Pare che il santo vescovo presenziò al concilio di Nicea, anche se ad onor del vero il suo nome non compare tra i firmatari, motivo che comunque non è valido per escluderne a priori la presenza. Essendovi parecchie questioni di cui discutere, il concilio durò diversi mesi e dunque non tutti i vescovi potettero intrattenersi così a lungo abbandonando a se stesse le loro diocesi. Atanasio cita Spiridione tra coloro che mantennero posizioni ortodosse, in contrapposizione alle idee eretiche emerse al concilio di Sardica.

Rimase infine coinvolto nella persecuzione anticristiana indetta da Galerio: secondo alcune tradizioni in tale contesto storico perse l’occhio destro, qualche tendine e poi fu deportato ai lavori forzati nelle miniere.

Alla sua morte, le reliquie furono oggetto di traslazione da Cipro a Costantinopoli, poi a Corfù, Zachitos e Cefalonia. La venerazione nei suoi confronti continuò comunque costantemente nell’isola ove aveva esercitato il suo ministero. Nell’iconografia bizantina San Spiridione è riconoscibile per il suo caratteristico berretto da pastore.

Autore: Fabio Arduino

SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/81475

Voir aussi : https://web.archive.org/web/20030418082047/http://www.terrakerkyra.gr/history/en/pisti/