Fresco icon of St. Spiridon at Zemen
Monastery, Bulgaria.
Saint Spyridon le Thaumaturge
Évêque de Trimythonte (+ 348)
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
SOURCE : http://www.orthodoxa.org/FR/orthodoxie/synaxaire/StSpyridon.htm
_(14799947163).jpg)
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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/
