Where are the relics of Saint Spyridon kept in Greece? The miraculous relics of St. Spyridon of Trimythous.

Saint Spyridon of Trimifuntsky is a great miracle worker who, during his virtuous life, was elevated from a simple farmer to bishop. This is Personality, with a capital P, whose holiness was irrefutable even during His life, and His miracles, which are performed to this day, are surprising in their scale and beauty of the plot.

So who is this Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker? What miracles are associated with His name and why is He considered the defender of Orthodoxy? Why do they pray to Spyridon for housing and where is His miraculous image located in Russia? This is all the topic of today's post. Well, and finally, traditionally, a selection of prayers, and today it is dedicated to St. Spyridon.

The fact that Saint Spyridon is not like other saints becomes clear even at the first glance at the icon. Saints on icons are mostly depicted either with their heads uncovered or wearing a miter. Saint Spyridon is not simple-haired, and not in a miter, but in a small cone-shaped shepherd’s hat. The whole point is that the saint was a shepherd for many years. Moreover, He was a family man, he had a wife and children. Spiridon was loved for his kind and gentle disposition, for the fact that he always helped his neighbors and gave all his funds to the needs of the poor and needy. For this, the Lord gave the saint the gift of miracles.

Let me begin with the fact that Saint Spyridon lived in that troubled time when the Church, which had calmed down from oppression, was “sick” with false teachings and heresies. That era began to demand true defenders of the True Faith, apostolic fidelity and perseverance. It was at this time that such Greatest Holy Personalities were born as: Nicholas of Myra the Wonderworker and Spyridon of Trimifunt the Wonderworker.

After the death of his wife, Saint Spyridon was elected bishop of the Cyprus city of Trimifunta. The Cypriot farmers were happy with this choice, because He was a simple man and in many ways similar to them. The residents of the area acquired a kind and caring father in the person of Spiridon. In case of drought, through the prayer of the saint, it rained, through His prayers people were repeatedly resurrected, justice and peace reigned around. According to the word of the saint, the weather changed and, like the example with Elisha, the water element obeyed.

One day, Saint Spyridon, with his prayers, caused heavy rain, which washed away the granaries of a rich, unmerciful rich man, who, because of his stinginess, sold bread during a drought at incredibly high prices.

One day, a simple farmer came to the Saint with a request to lend money. Spiridon told the farmer to go home, and in the morning he himself brought a bar of gold. The farmer was incredibly happy about this, his business improved and soon he brought Spiridon the previously occupied debt.

“Come on, brother, now let’s pay tribute to the One who lent so generously,” said the Saint.

Spyridon began to ask the Lord in prayer that the gold would regain its original appearance. The piece of gold hissed, began to wriggle and turned into a snake.

It should be noted that the description of Spiridon’s life is not complete, one might even say, it consists of fragments, but even those that remain admire the power of force, the unusualness of the plot and are an example of the greatest miracle - love of humanity.

The most famous story from the life of the saint, which is often depicted on icons, is the “incident with the brick.”

Let me explain its plot:

In 325, Saint Spyridon takes part in the Council of Nicaea, where he miraculously refutes the heresy of Arius, who rejected the holiness of Jesus Christ. All those gathered understand that the Lord Himself spoke through the lips of the saint, and as proof of this, Spyridon brilliantly proves to the Hagarians the Unity of the Holy Trinity. He took the brick and squeezed it: instantly water flowed out of it and fire soared upward, but the clay remained in his hands. Three Hypostases in one Trinity - this explanation of Spyridon became more eloquent than any words.

“When, instead of proof from reason, some special power began to emanate from the mouth of this old man, evidence became powerless against it... God Himself spoke through his lips.” The philosopher is an eyewitness.

Saint Spyridon has great boldness towards God: through His prayer people are healed and resurrected from the dead (in a word, but resurrection through prayer is a rather rare case in the lives of saints).

To prove these words:

A woman comes to Spiridon, full of tears, with a dead child in her arms. The saint, having prayed to God, resurrected the baby. Shocked by what she saw, the woman fell lifeless and after Spiridon’s second prayer, she too is resurrected.

“The woman stood up, as if awakening from sleep, and took the revived child in her arms.”

There is a widely known case of how Saint Spyridon entered an empty church and began to perform divine services. The people nearby were surprised by the angelic sounds coming from the church. But when they entered, they saw no one except the Bishop and a few temple servants. Another similar case has survived to this day, when, through the saint’s prayer, empty lamps began to be filled with oil.

Saint Spyridon tried to lead people to repentance, to change their sinful lifestyle. For example, there is a known case when thieves decided to steal sheep from Spiridon. Having climbed into the sheepfold, they were unable to get out of it until the morning, and the Saint admonished them in the morning, dissuading them from following the criminal path, then forgave them and even, in the end, gave each of them a sheep, saying: “May you not have been awake in vain.” .

There is another known case when a greedy merchant, knowing that the saint trusts people and does not count money, decided to deceive and not pay Spyridon for one goat. Having counted out 100 goats, the merchant began to lead them out of the pen, but no matter how hard he tried, one of the goats ran away and came back. The stingy merchant saw his sin in this case and repented to the Saint of his intention to hide money from him.

There are other lifetime miracles that you, my dear blog readers, can easily find for yourself. I wanted to move on to the second part of the post.

Miracles through prayers to St. Spyridon and what the saint helps with

The incorrupt relics of Saint Spyridon are located on the Greek island of Corfu (Kerkyra), where many believers come to venerate the relics of the saint. In a word, this is the only island in the Ionian Sea that did not fall under the yoke of the Turks, and so the saint protects his island.

An interesting fact is that the incorruptible relics of Spyridon are well preserved and the features of the saint are very recognizable: white teeth, hair, perfectly preserved skin, although it darkened a little and only recently, namely at the end of the 17th century, after the so-called reform of Patriarch Nikon. As the clergy say: “Apparently the saint did not like this.”

Another surprising fact is that the body is soft and its temperature is constant: 36.6 degrees, like that of a living person. Scientists cannot explain the phenomenon of the incorruptible relics of Spyridon, despite their numerous studies.

It is a miracle that Saint Spyridon to this day does not cease to “wander,” helping those who turn to Him in prayer. Proof of “walking” are the saint’s velvet shoes, worn to holes, which are changed twice a year and handed over to believers as a shrine.

The Spiridon cancer is closed with two locks, which must be opened and closed at the same time. It takes two people to open the crayfish. And if the cancer does not open, the ministers know that at this time the saint walks the earth and helps people.

By the way, the saint’s shrine is opened only for Orthodox Christians, however, pieces of the saint’s velvet shoes are also distributed only to Orthodox Christians.

Why is Spiridon considered the “Defender of Orthodoxy”?

Saint Spyridon never ceases to testify to the true faith. In 1719, the ruler of the Venetian fleet, Andrea Pisani, and some other Catholics decided to build a Catholic altar in the Orthodox Church of St. Spyridon, which he asked the clergy of the temple to do. Having received a firm refusal, Andrea decided not to accept it and act forcefully and contrary to the ban. Orthodox priests turned to the saint for help.

On the first night, Spiridon comes to Pisani in a dream demanding that he abandon his intention: “Why are you bothering me? It is not appropriate to have an altar of your faith in my temple.”

The frightened ruler rushed to his adviser for advice and he assured that this was just the work of the devil.

Having calmed down, Pisani began ordering materials to build the altar. Orthodox priests began to pray even more to the saint, asking for protection from Catholics.

“I asked you not to bother me. If you dare to begin to carry out your plan, you will be very sorry, but then it will be too late,” Spyridon said to the ruler of Pisani in his second dream.

Andre did not listen to the saint a second time, but listened to his adviser again.

But his plans were not destined to come true.

On the night of November 12, a terrible storm arose. Thunder and lightning shook the city. At midnight, a wanderer in monastic robes approached the gates of Fort Castelli. To the question: “Who’s coming?” the guard heard: “It’s me, Saint Spyridon.” At the same moment, three tongues of flame burst out of the church bell tower and hit the gunpowder warehouse. Nine hundred Catholics were killed, and the body of Admiral Pisani was found dead with his neck pinched between two logs. The councilor's body was found dead in a sewer pit outside the tower. Not a single Orthodox Christian was harmed. The Fort guard who communicated with the saint was not injured either. And in the church of St. Spyridon, a silver lamp donated to the church by Andre fell and received a dent. You can still look at it now, it weighs like a mute witness to a long-ago tragedy.

Through prayers to Spyridon, countless miracles are performed. He helps those in need in many ways.

“You would have prayed to Saint Spyridon of Trimifunt, and you would have had housing a long time ago” John Krestyankin

Mostly they pray to Spyridon in search of and. I will not give examples of cases of the saint’s help in the housing issue, since there are a great many of them.

In addition to housing problems, they pray to Spyridon of Trimifuntsky:

About health and healing, on the road, in case of oppression by enemies and for the faith, from the death of livestock, for prosperity in the house, for success, in the house, for hunger, spiritual infirmities and everyday needs.

Miraculous image with part of the relics of St. Spyridon in Russia

This wonderful and unusual image is located in Moscow, on Bryusov Lane, house 15/2 (200 meters from Tverskaya) in the Church of the Resurrection of the Word on the Assumption Vrazhek.

The temple was built in 1634 and contains three shrines:

• Ancient icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (Nikola of Mozhaisk);
• The miraculous icon “Seeking the Lost” (of St. Justin the Philosopher);
• The miraculous icon of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky with relics.

The icon of Spyridon is unusual, with a small metal door (an ark with the relics of the saint). There are witnesses that after praying to the saint (the icon is behind glass, so drafts are excluded), the door opens and closes by itself.

They say that this icon is highly prayed for and many miracles happen when one prays in front of it. There is also a documentary film on this topic.

Prayers to Saint Spyridon of Trimythous

First prayer

O great and wonderful saint of Christ and miracle worker Spyridon, Kerkyra praise, bright luminary of the whole universe, warm prayer book to God and quick intercessor to all who come running to you and pray with faith! You gloriously expounded the Orthodox faith at the Nicene Council among the Fathers, you showed the Unity of the Holy Trinity with miraculous power, and you completely put the heretics to shame. Hear us sinners, the saint of Christ, praying to you and through your strong intercession with the Lord, deliver us from every evil situation: from famine, flood, fire and deadly plagues. For in your temporal life you delivered your people from all these disasters: you saved your country from the invasion of the Hagarians and from famine, you delivered the king from an incurable illness and brought many sinners to repentance, you gloriously raised the dead, for the holiness of your life the Angels, invisibly in the church you had those singing and serving with you. Sitsa, then, glorify you, His faithful servant, Lord Christ, for you have the gift of understanding all the secret human deeds and convicting those who live unrighteously. You have diligently helped many who live in poverty and lack; you have nourished the poor people abundantly during famine, and you have created many other signs through the power of the living Spirit of God within you. Do not forsake us either, Saint of Christ, remember us, your children, at the Throne of the Almighty and beg the Lord to grant forgiveness of many of our sins, grant us a comfortable and peaceful life, a shameless and peaceful death, and grant us eternal bliss in the future us, may we always send glory and thanksgiving to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Second prayer

O all-blessed Saint Spyridon, great servant of Christ and glorious miracle worker! Stand in Heaven before the Throne of God with the face of an Angel, look with your merciful eye on the people standing here and asking for your strong help. Pray to the compassion of God, the Lover of Mankind, not to judge us for our iniquities, but to deal with us according to His mercy! Ask us from Christ and our God for a peaceful and serene life, mental and physical health, earthly prosperity and all abundance and prosperity in everything, and may we not turn the good things given to us from the generous God into evil, but into His glory and the glorification of your intercession! Deliver all who come to God through undoubted faith from all spiritual and physical troubles, from all yearnings and the devil’s slander! Be a sad comforter, a physician to the sick, a helper in times of adversity, a protector of the naked, a protector of widows, a protector of the orphans, a nourisher of infants, a strengthener of the old, a guide to the wandering, a sailing helmsman, and intercede for all those who require your strong help, even useful for salvation! For yes, by your prayers we are instructed and observed, we will reach eternal rest and together with you we will glorify God, glorified in the Trinity of Saints, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer three

O blessed Saint Spyridon! Beg the mercy of God, the Lover of Mankind, not to judge us for our iniquities, but to deal with us according to His mercy. Ask us, God's servants (names), from Christ and our God for a peaceful and serene life, mental and physical health. Deliver us from all spiritual and physical troubles, from all yearnings and the devil’s slander. Remember us at the throne of the Almighty and beg the Lord to grant us forgiveness of many of our sins, a comfortable and peaceful life, and grant us a shameless and peaceful death and eternal bliss in the future, so that we may continually send glory and thanksgiving to the Father and the Son and To the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Troparion to Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Trimifuntsky

At the First Council, you appeared as a champion and wonderworker, / God-bearing Spyridon, Our Father. / You also cried out to the dead in the tomb, / and you turned the serpent into gold, / and you always sang holy prayers to you / You had angels co-serving with you, most sacred one. / Glory to Him who gave you strength, / glory to Him who crowned you, / glory to Him who heals you all.

Akathist to Spyridon of Trimifuntsky

Kontakion 1

Ikos 1

Rejoice, representative of the poor.

Rejoice, Spiridon, wonderful miracle worker!

Kontakion 2

Seeing the island of Cyprus and all the Christian countries, your incorruptible relics, O saint, abundant healing flows from them, rejoicing; and we, honoring you as an abundant source of grace sent down to us from above, cry out to the Supreme Giver of Heavenly and earthly blessings: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Having the Divine Mind, even if you are a shepherd of the wordless sheep, you were chosen by the will of the Chief Shepherd Christ to be the shepherd of the verbal sheep. The faithful one, understanding you as a good shepherd, vigilantly caring for your flock, sang:

Rejoice, bishop of the Most High God, who at your consecration abundantly received Divine grace;

Rejoice, many-bright lamp, burn and shine.

Rejoice, faithful worker in the city of Christ;

Rejoice, shepherd, who raised his flock in the pasture of faith and piety.

Rejoice. The radiance of your virtues enlightens the world;

Rejoice, you who offer the Divine Sacrifice to the Throne of Christ.

Rejoice, hierarch, adorned with the understanding of Orthodoxy;

Rejoice, filled with the apostolic teaching, infusing the faithful with streams of saving teaching.

Rejoice, for you have illuminated the wise too;

Rejoice, for you have renewed even the simple hearts.

Rejoice, glory to the Orthodox and to the Church, unshakable affirmation;

Rejoice, decoration otcev, glory and praise iereev blagogovejnyh.

Kontakion 3

By the power of the Most High, which overshadowed you, you appeared to Saint Spyridon to be God-wise, and, squeezing the clay in your hands, you clearly understood the trinity of Persons to everyone: even so, the false wisdom of the philosophers who gathered at the Council were horrified, but glorified God with the faith of the incomprehensible, who made you wise for salvation, crying out to Him: Hallelujah.

Ikos 3

Having you in their thoughts, all the fathers of the Council are simple, unskilled in book teaching, praying to you, Father Spyridon, not to quarrel with words with the vitiator, who imagines to be wise. But you, O saint, are inflamed with zeal for God, believing that the preaching of Christ is not in the pretentious wisdom of human words, but in the manifestation of the spirit and power, having convicted him with wisdom, taught him and guided him on the true path. Everyone who saw this miracle cried out:

Rejoice, light of Orthodox wisdom;

Rejoice, for you have put to shame those who were said to be wise interrogators.

Rejoice, source of abundant grace;

Rejoice, unshakable pillar, firmly supporting those who are in the faith.

Rejoice, darkening the all-pernicious heresy;

Rejoice, madness has been trampled under foot.

Rejoice, for the dust of the earth has left the Holy Trinity in your hands;

Rejoice, for you brought forth fire and water from clay to confirm the dogma of the Holy Trinity.

Rejoice, for you have enlightened people to glorify the Word, truly Consubstantial with the Eternal Father;

Rejoice, for you have defeated the serpentine head of the destructive Aryan heresies.

Rejoice, for you have sacrificed malice;

Rejoice, thou who converted the unfaithful sage and interrogator to the true faith.

Rejoice, Spiridon, wonderful miracle worker!

Kontakion 4

Living your life in squalor and poverty, you were a nourisher and helper to the poor and poor, and, for the sake of love for the poor, you turned the serpent into gold and gave it to those who needed your help. Marveling at this miracle, we cry out to God in gratitude: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

It was heard by everyone and everywhere that Saint Spyridon truly is the dwelling of the Holy Trinity: for God the Father, God the Word and God the Holy Spirit dwell in him. For this reason, you preached in words and deeds the incarnate true God to all Christians, crying:

Rejoice, more mysterious are the words of God;

Rejoice, having understood the economy of God for the salvation of the world.

Rejoice, for you taught us not to try what is beyond human reason and wisdom;

Rejoice, you who have revealed the incomprehensible power of God operating in you.

Rejoice, for God Himself has spoken through your lips;

Rejoice, for I will listen to you all for sweetness.

Rejoice, you who have dispersed the darkness of idolatry;

Rejoice, for you have led many to the true faith.

Rejoice, for you have struck down the heads of the invisible serpents;

Rejoice, for through you the Christian faith is glorified.

Rejoice, for you illuminate with light all those who please you;

Rejoice, champion of the Christian faith and Orthodoxy.

Rejoice, Spiridon, wonderful miracle worker!

Kontakion 5

You were filled with the Divine Spirit, Saint Spyridon, for the sake of your virtuous life; You were meek, merciful, pure in heart, patient, unforgettable, a lover of strangers: for this reason the Creator showed you in miracles. We, glorifying God, who glorified you, cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

We see the equal angel of Spyridon, the great wonderworker. The country once suffered from lack of water and drought: there was famine and plague, and many people died, but through the prayers of the saint rain came down from heaven to earth; The people, having been delivered from the disaster, cried out in gratitude:

Rejoice, you have become like the great prophet Elijah;

Rejoice, for you brought down the rain that takes away hunger and illness at the right time.

Rejoice, having once again closed heaven with your prayers;

Rejoice, for you punished the unmerciful merchant with deprivation of his property.

Rejoice, for you have abundantly given food to those who need it;

Rejoice, for you strive for the love of God towards people.

Rejoice, take away the infirmities of the weak;

Rejoice, God-gracious helper of man.

Rejoice, give health to the sick;

Rejoice, for whom the demons tremble.

Rejoice, source of countless miracles.

Rejoice, Spiridon, wonderful miracle worker!

Kontakion 6

The veil of the Old Testament tabernacle covered the Holy of Holies with the ark, manna and tablets. And your temple, to Saint Spyridon, has your reliquary, like an ark, your holy relics, like manna, your heart, like the tablets of Divine grace, on which we see the song inscribed: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

The people of Cyprus were once punished by the Lord with the barrenness of the land for the increase of lawlessness, when a well-known farmer came to Saint Spyridon, asking for help, and gave him holy gold; Having passed the disaster, that farmer returned the gold again, And - about a miracle - the serpent became gold. Glorifying God, who is wonderful in His saints, we cry:

Rejoice, for you imitated Moses, who miraculously transferred the rod into the serpent;

Rejoice, O loving shepherd, delivering the verbal sheep of your flock from troubles;

Rejoice, richly enriching everyone with all blessings;

Rejoice, as Elijah, who fed the poor;

Rejoice, turn the unmerciful to mercy;

Rejoice, venerable example of love for people living in the world. Rejoice, consolation for the faithful and the unfaithful in troubles;

Rejoice, hay-leaved tree, overshadowing the city and the country;

Rejoice, glory and praise to the Corcyraeans;

Rejoice, you have dominion over moisture and dryness, heat and cold, by the grace of God;

Rejoice, changing the rules of the earth through prayer;

Rejoice, the future one, as the present one, the one who foresaw;

Rejoice, Spyridone, wonderful miracle worker.

Kontakion 7

You appeared as an intercessor before the Lord for everyone, to Saint Spyridon: for this reason we also come running under your roof, seeking salvation, for all imams help you in all your needs, during times of famine, deadly plagues and in all times of troubles and temptations. For this reason, we cry out to God with gratitude: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

We see a new miracle, magnificent: when you, father, were marching to deliver an innocent man condemned to death, a stormy stream blocked your path; You, in the name of Almighty God, commanded him to stand and you and your companions walked across the river, as if on dry land. The glory of this miracle spread everywhere, and everyone glorified God, crying out to you:

Rejoice, for sometimes Joshua walked across the Jordan River on dry ground;

Rejoice, river aspiration taming with your voice.

Rejoice, for you have undertaken a difficult path, driven by mercy;

Rejoice, for you have destroyed slander and delivered the innocent from the bonds of prison and vain death.

Rejoice, hastening life according to God;

Rejoice, protector of the innocently oppressed.

Rejoice, changer of the statutes of the watery nature;

Rejoice, for you taught the judge and saved him from murder.

Rejoice, true correction of souls;

Rejoice, wondrous power, holding back the streams.

Rejoice, you who delight the hearts of people who come to you;

Rejoice, imitator of Abraham's love for mankind.

Rejoice, Spyridone, wonderful miracle worker.

Kontakion 8

You were a wanderer and a stranger on earth, like other people. Moreover, from the womb of the mother, the Omniscient One showed you the great saint and wonderworker, Saint Spyridon: you cast out demons, you healed every disease and ulcer, you saw the thoughts of people, and thus you appeared marvelous among the saints. We, sending up prayer to God, the Benefactor of all, cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

The whole world will tremble with horror when it hears how death, at your voice, returns its dead from their graves, and cry out:

Rejoice, your deceased daughter, may she reveal the treasure entrusted to her, calling to life;

Rejoice, sorrowful widow, who gave gold to save her, comforting.

Rejoice, you who raised the dead from the dead;

Rejoice, like his mother, who suddenly died of joy, has come to life.

Rejoice, for you have become like Elijah, who through prayers brought back the life of the son of the wife of Sarepta;

Rejoice, for you also imitated Elisha, who aroused the youth from death.

Rejoice, shepherd, who sincerely loves people;

Rejoice, harlot wife, who washed your nose with tears, and forgave your sins in the name of God.

Rejoice, you who have acquired the holy zeal of the Supreme Apostle;

Rejoice, as an unrepentant sinner, according to your verb, you will die in serious illness.

Rejoice, having obtained fruitfulness from the earth through your prayers;

Rejoice, immutable assurance of the resurrection of men.

Rejoice, Spyridone, wonderful miracle worker.

Kontakion 9

You were illuminated by the Divine Spirit, Saint Spyridon, you had the spirit of wisdom, as you filled the fools with wise words and among the fathers you established the faith, the spirit of reason, as you illuminated the darkened minds; the spirit of the fear of God, because by making you pleasing to God you have purified your soul. Moreover, having presented yourself to the Throne of the Most High, you sing to Him with a host of Angels: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

Receiving the rod of the shepherd of verbal sheep from the Chief Shepherd of the Lord Jesus, Saint Spyridon did not change his life: non-covetous, meek, enduring everything for the sake of love, not being ashamed to care for the flock of wordless sheep. All this excites us to glorify God and cry out to you:

Rejoice, you who despise the glory of this world as if it were vain;

Rejoice, thou who hast gained much in Heaven.

Rejoice, red one of this world, imputed to the minds;

Rejoice, vessel of Heavenly blessings.

Rejoice, most holy pasture of the Cypriots;

Rejoice, for for your sake God is the predator of your sheep with invisible bonds.

Rejoice, having taught fatherly admonition;

Rejoice, by your mercy you gave them the night of the ram spent without sleep.

Rejoice, by the disobedience of a goat, as if the mind of a possessor, a merchant who hid his price, denounced;

Rejoice, having brought the one who hid your silver coins to repentance.

Rejoice, for with your admonition you healed the passions of greed.

Rejoice, Spyridone, wonderful miracle worker.

Kontakion 10

Saving the souls of the flock, entrusted to you by God, you, Saint Spyridon, by the will of God, were called to show your glory, especially the glory of the True God, and to other countries, so that everywhere they glorify the name of God, crying out: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

A quick helper and intercessor in all needs and sorrows, Saint Spyridon, at the command of the king, like other shepherds, came to the city of Antioch, where King Constantius was overcome by illness; Saint I will touch his head and make him healthy. Marveling at this miracle, we cry out to you:

Rejoice, whose angel in a dream vision appeared to the king like a healer;

Rejoice, Divine Ones, for the sake of love, having accepted the difficult path in old age.

Rejoice, the king's servant, who struck you on the cheek, according to the commandment of the Savior, substituted another;

Rejoice, pillar of humility.

Rejoice, having granted health to the Tsar through your prayers;

Rejoice, for through your humiliation you taught the servant and changed his unmerciful disposition.

Rejoice, for you taught the king piety and mercy;

Rejoice, for you hated earthly treasures, you rejected the king’s gold.

Rejoice, for you turned your disciple Trifillia away from addiction to earthly goods and made him a vessel of God’s grace;

Rejoice, for I have come to you in Alexandria with the idols of the fallen.

Rejoice, even demons obey him;

Rejoice, for you have turned many away from idolatry.

Rejoice, Spyridone, wonderful miracle worker.

Kontakion 11

There was an angelic singing when you offered Thy evening prayers to St. Spyridon in the temple, and those who served you were not mad. The inhabitants of the city, having heard the wondrous singing, entered the temple and, seeing no one, sang with the powers of the Mountains: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

The luminous sun of the world, you were the interlocutor of the Angels on earth, Saint Spyridon; Having betrayed your spirit into the hand of God, you moved to the Mountain Village, praying for peace before the Throne of the Lord. But we who live on earth cry out to you:

Rejoice, for I am still alive, co-servant of the Angel;

Rejoice, hearing the psalmody of the Archangels.

Rejoice, visible image of our transfiguration;

Rejoice, for if I lacked oil in the temple, God for your sake fill the lamp with abundance.

Rejoice, lamp of Divine radiance;

Rejoice, vessel of God's grace, richly filling your soul like oil.

Rejoice, inexhaustible source, ever flowing currents of grace to everyone;

Rejoice, the Angels are amazed at him.

Rejoice, you who punished the deacon’s disobedience in the temple;

Rejoice, you who were vainglorious in your voice and have lost both your voice and your tongue.

Rejoice, for during the heat, dew suddenly descended from above, your sacred head of coolness;

Rejoice, in this sign you foresaw the nearness of your repose.

Rejoice, Spyridone, wonderful miracle worker.

Kontakion 12

The cover and refuge of all the faithful who came to you even in your life, you, O saint, did not leave us orphans even after your dormition; God, conqueror of the order of nature, keep your holy relics incorruptible to strengthen the Orthodox faith and piety, as a sign of immortality, glorifying Him, we cry: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

We sing praises to you, O saint of God, for you have surprised the world with miracles flowing from your holy relics. All who come with faith and kiss them receive all the good things they ask for. And we, who gave you strength, who crowned you with the crown of incorruption and who glorified God through you, cry out to you:

Rejoice, you who appeared as a shipbuilder during a famine and ordered food to be delivered;

Rejoice, you who have given sight to the blind, who have flown with faith to your holy relics.

Rejoice, you who healed the youth from the incurable illness;

Rejoice, you who cast out the demon from your wife and created good health.

Rejoice, chosen governor of Kerkyra;

Rejoice, for you drove out the hordes of the evil Hagarians and sank their ships into the abyss.

Rejoice, for you saw him surrounded by a host of Angels, holding a sword in his right hand and causing his enemies to tremble;

Rejoice, build yourself a temple in which to celebrate the Liturgy on unleavened bread, forbidden by the governor.

Rejoice, having struck down the Latin governor with cruel death;

Rejoice, you who burned his image in a house in Venice with lightning.

Rejoice, you who have put to shame the apostasy and false wisdom of the West;

Rejoice, having established the one Orthodox faith to be true and saving for people.

Rejoice, Spyridone, wonderful miracle worker.

Kontakion 13

O most wonderful saint of Christ, Father Spyridon! Our current prayer is accepted, deliver us from all troubles and misfortunes, strengthen our country against our enemies, grant us forgiveness of sins and save from eternal death all those who cry out to God about you: Alleluia.

(Say Kontakion verbs triždy inhabitants, so ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

Ikos 1

From youth, adorned with all the virtues, imitating the Angel in your life, you, Saint Spyridon, truly appeared to be a friend of Christ; We, seeing you, the heavenly man and the earthly angel, with reverence and touching cry to you:

Rejoice, O mind, contemplating the mysteries of the Holy Trinity;

Rejoice, being enriched by the Spirit with the most radiant illumination.

Rejoice, many-bright lamp;

Rejoice, your mind is enlightened by dispassion.

Rejoice, having loved true simplicity and silence from childhood;

Rejoice, ornament of chastity.

Rejoice, inexhaustible stream of love;

Rejoice, for you imitated Abraham’s love of homosexuality.

Rejoice, for you lovingly opened the entrances of your house to everyone;

Rejoice, representative of the poor.

Rejoice, people revere him;

Rejoice, for you are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, Spiridon, wonderful miracle worker!

Kontakion 1

Glorified by the Lord to Saint and miracle worker Spyridon! Now we celebrate your all-honorable memory, as to Him who is able to help us greatly in Christ who glorified you, we cry out to you touchingly: deliver us from all troubles and evils, and let us cry to you with thanksgiving:

Rejoice, Spiridon, wonderful miracle worker!

Akathist to St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky (performed by the Male Choir of the Church of St. Nicholas of Myra in Zayatsky

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It attracts not only tourists seeking entertainment, but also deeply religious Orthodox people. A pilgrimage to Corfu involves visiting many temples on the island, but the main one is the Cathedral of St. Spyridon the Wonderworker. This is the most famous monastery and the richest Orthodox church in Greece. Thousands of sufferers who visited the relics of Spyridon of Trimythous in Corfu did not skimp on gratitude, prayers and offerings in return for the benevolent help of the miracle worker. The fame of the healing power of these places has spread throughout the world, and now thousands of pilgrims from all over the world strive to visit the monastery and touch the holy relics.

Today, all the monasteries of Corfu fade a little in the shadow and glory of the Cathedral of St. Spyridon. People's faith in the miraculous power of this saint is so strong that in Kerkyra the elder is considered their protector and is called nothing less than “patron of the Mediterranean.” It is all the more surprising that the island of Corfu has not been associated with the name Spyridon of Trimifunt for centuries.

As church chronicles say, Spiridon was born in the village of Askia in Cyprus. The exact date of birth has not been established, but it is assumed that it happened around 270. There is no information left in the legends about the parents, childhood and youth of the righteous man. It is only known that as a boy he tended sheep and goats, and was distinguished from his peers by his excessive obedience, piety and compassion for the troubles of others. The young man built his lifestyle in the likeness of the acts of the Old Testament righteous:

1. He learned meekness from the prophecies and biographies of King David.
2. Spiridon cultivated cordiality and kindness in himself, relying on the image and actions of Jacob.
3. The acts of the Prophet Abraham taught the boy responsiveness, openness and readiness to help every wanderer.

This imitation was expressed not only in character strengthening, but also in real actions. In Spiridon's house, many people found warmth, food, shelter, mental and material support. As a reward for good deeds and the desire for righteousness, the young man received the gifts of foresight, healing and exorcism.

Later the man was gifted with great love. In his youth, he married an honest, chaste girl and the couple had a daughter. Spiridon independently baptized the girl and gave her the name Irina. But soon tragedy befell the young family: the wife died, and the man was left alone with a small child. Although Spiridon heavily mourned the loss of his wife, he still did not become despondent, but continued his service to God and people.

In the mid-320s, the righteous man was elected bishop of the small Cypriot town of Trimifunt. In this position, he performed many good deeds and always tried to be a positive example for his flock. Despite his respectful post and long years, he worked honestly, helping to herd sheep and harvest grain. At the same time, he donated a significant part of his income to help those in need, leaving himself only modest means for food.

Spyridon was very zealous about observing church ceremonies and Holy Scripture. When this was required, the bishop also showed justified anger: greedy and greedy merchants, careless priests, as well as other people who committed unrighteous acts fell into disgrace.

The elder died in 348. According to legend, he foresaw his death and wished to die in prayer. The expression of love for God and people became the last words of the saint. The incorrupt body of the elder was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Trimifunt.

In the 7th century, the Arabs attacked Crete, and the holy relics were forced to be transported to Constantinople. The remains were kept there for several centuries. And when the Turks attacked Byzantium in the 15th century, the servant of the local temple took the relic to Epirus. After staying there for a couple of years, the monk decided to move to a safer place, and so in 1456 the relics of St. Spyridon of Trimythous ended up in Corfu. And a century later, in 1589, a temple was erected on the island in honor of the righteous man, to which pilgrims and tourists flock today.

The miraculous deeds of St. Spyridon

Even during his lifetime, the righteous man was accompanied by the glory of his miraculous power. More famous than others is the case when the saint clearly proved the Unity of the Great Trinity. At that time, the Arius heresy became popular, which rejected the divine origin of Christ and the symbol of the Trinity. Saint Spyridon appeared at the council examining the case and gave a speech. In defense of the Christian symbol, he showed the crowd a brick, which immediately split into fire that came out upward, water that poured down, and clay that remained in the elder’s hands. The people were amazed and unanimously recognized the rightness of the righteous man.

Another famous case is the revival of a baby. The grief-stricken mother came to the elder with her last hope, and he could not refuse to help the woman. Spiridon prayed for a long time, and then shouted loudly: “Rise up! Get back on your feet." And the child really came to life. But the mother’s heart could not withstand the suffering she experienced: the shock of her son’s resurrection led to a fatal attack. Then the miracle worker began to pray for the woman, and God again gave her life.

Another legend talks about Spiridon helping his friend. Spiteful critics slandered the man, and following their slander, the guards imprisoned the old man’s friend. The court also heeded the words of the slanderers and sentenced the prisoner to death. Having learned about this, Spiridon hastened to the rescue, but the road to the prison was blocked by a wide river. Remembering the parable about Joshua, the elder offered a prayer to God and the wide stream parted, revealing a dry path. The saint, and with him his small retinue, quickly crossed to the other side, where, having already heard about the miracle that had happened, the judge and the acquitted defendant were waiting for them.

In addition, more than once the miracle worker stopped long droughts, prolonged rains and colds with his prayers. And after death, the saint’s gift is still expressed, only in the preserved relics. Thus, according to legend, more than once Saint Spyridon defended the island of Corfu from natural disasters, as well as from enemy attacks. Even during the Second World War, when the Nazis dropped an aerial bomb on the temple, the shell exploded in the air, without even touching the monastery with a fragment.

Miracles through prayers to Saint Spyridon

After the relics of Spyridon of Trimythous ended up on the island of Corfu and the Church of St. Spyridon was founded, pilgrims from all over the world flocked here. People came, prayed and always received rewards for their faith. Thus, legends about the miraculous power possessed by the relics of St. Spyridon of Trimythous in Greece were passed on from mouth to mouth and spread throughout the world.

A legend about a boy seriously ill with typhus spread widely. The disease crippled the child: every day the baby experienced excruciating pain, and on the 17th day he found himself almost between life and death. The mother did not know what to do with herself, but she realized in time to turn to her relatives - and they lived in Greece, right where the relics of St. Spyridon are located. She asked them to bow before the crayfish and pray for the boy’s recovery. The relatives carried out the order, and the child really began to recover, although the doctors predicted a quick death for the baby. Moreover, it later turned out that the boy felt better exactly at the moment when the relatives began to pray in front of the relics.

No less well known is the story of a girl who suffered from nervous and mental illnesses. Desperate relatives decided to seek help from St. Spyridon and took the sick woman to the temple. Entering the church, the girl bowed before the relics and buried her head in the miraculous icon. After some time, she felt the heaviness leave her head and enlightenment set in. She sat like that for a whole day, and the next day she left the temple absolutely healthy.

Where are the relics of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky in Corfu?

Not a single monastery is located on Greek lands - the temple where the relics of St. Spyridon are kept, one of a whole galaxy of Orthodox places in Greece and the island of Corfu. As a local attraction, temples are distinguished by the fact that many of them are located in villages, high cliffs, or even on a separate island, like the famous Athos. In other words, getting to the shrine is not always easy and simple.

But a pilgrimage trip to Corfu to Spyridon of Trimifuntsky will not be difficult at all. After all, the cathedral, erected in honor of the righteous and healer Spyridon, is located right in the center of Kerkyra, i.e. capital of the island. Corfu International Airport is located nearby, so you will be in the city within 20-30 minutes after arrival. And in the capital itself, the landmark of the monastery will be the bell tower, which can be seen literally from anywhere in the city.

Cathedral of St. Spyridon Trimifuntsky the Wonderworker on the map

For an accurate representation, we suggest looking at where the Cathedral of St. Spyridon of Trimifunt is located on an interactive map.

How to get there on your own

As already noted, visiting Orthodox shrines in Corfu is quite easy. It is enough to come to Kerkyra from the airport. Then from the bus station we change to a bus and go to the Afetiria Leoforion stop. We leave, head to Miltiadi Margariti street, and after 200 meters we find ourselves in front of the entrance to the cathedral.

The exact address of the Temple of Spyridon Trimifuntsky in Corfu: Filarmonikis 19, Kerkira 491 00. Entrance to the shrine is free, photography is prohibited.

Pilgrimage trips to Saint Spyridon

Unlike a regular tour, a pilgrimage excursion to Corfu to Spyridon of Trimifuntsky takes place according to a pre-planned program. It includes a visit to the main shrine, a tour of the capital's monasteries, as well as a trip to the temples on the southern and northern coasts of the island.

Pilgrims in Kerkyra begin their trip with the Divine Liturgy at the relics of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky in his cathedral in Corfu. And after visiting the temple, the group goes to other local shrines and visits:

• Temple of John the Baptist;
• Cathedral of Panagia Spiliotissa;
• Church of the Holy Apostles;
• Temple of St. Anthony the Great;
• Church of St. Basil the Great, etc.

The guide also talks about city attractions and historical monuments.

A special rush for pilgrimage trips occurs several times a year, when a religious procession with the relics of St. Spyridon takes place in Corfu. These days, the relic is carried in a triumphal procession through the central streets of the city. Church ministers, pilgrims and city residents take part in the procession. The holiday takes place with continuous ringing of bells, chants, bright flags and flowers. This event is held 4 times a year: on Palm Sunday and the first Sunday in November, as well as on Holy Saturday and August 11.

How to properly pray to Saint Spyridon of Trimythous

Before you visit the relics of St. Spyridon of Trimythous on the island of Corfu and ask the healer for help, you need to memorize the prayers with which it is customary to address him.

What attractions are nearby?

In addition to visiting Orthodox shrines, guests of Kerkyra have access to beach holidays, natural beauty, architectural and cultural monuments, as well as entertainment for every taste.

Since the cathedral with the relics of Spyridon Trimifuntsky is located in the very center of Corfu, tourists and pilgrims will find many interesting attractions literally within walking distance from it. After all, this is the famous “Old Town” - the historical part of the central region of Kerkyra, which, due to its special value, is under the protection of UNESCO. Here are such iconic places as:

• Paleo Frurio (Old Venetian fortress,VIII-XVI centuries);
• Neo Frurio (New Venetian fortress,XVI-XVII century);
• Liston Quarter;
• Byzantine and Archaeological Museums.

Also in the central part of Kerkyra there are many temples and monasteries, which are listed just above. And in the suburbs of the capital, it is worth visiting the Achilleion Palace, which served as a villa for the Austrian Empress Elizabeth of Bavaria, and the excavations of the ancient Temple of Artemis.

Hotels nearby - where to stay

Kerkyra is an attractive resort, and there is simply no shortage of apartments to live here: there are more than 300 accommodation options in the capital of the island. Hotels in Corfu range from luxurious 5-star suites to modest guest houses and apartments. There is housing for every budget here, and any requirements for comfort will be satisfied. And among the most popular options among tourists are the following hotels:

The booking price depends on the specific date and the set of services you need. But we also note that naturally you will have to pay a little more for a location in the city center than for accommodation in the suburbs of Kerkyra.

And you should also take into account that during the tourist season (May-September) the demand for accommodation in Corfu is very high, so you need to book a room as early as possible. The same point applies to the dates on which church holidays fall, when the relics of St. Spyridon of Trimythous are carried out to the religious procession. These days, thousands of pilgrims gather in the city, but there are not enough places in comfortable and conveniently located hotels for everyone.

Have fun trips and unforgettable experiences!

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Island or the firmament, which separated from the primary waters in the first days of Creation, can be considered as the Center and axis of the world, the spiritual center.

A peaceful haven away from the crowds and bustle of cities, the island symbolizes an ideal, aspirations and desires unattainable, like Atlantis, a lost paradise for which everyone feels unconscious nostalgia.

There is the marvelous island of Valaam, Solovki, the Athos peninsula.
This can be said as monastic islands or as Athos - a monastic republic
with its own self-government within the state of Greece.

But there is one unique island, truly wonderful - the island of Corfu (or Kerkyra),
where all the inhabitants are, one might say, novices and admirers of their beloved patron of the island - the saint and wonderworker Spyridon of Trimythous.

An excellent film is “Saint Spyridon - Patron of the Mediterranean,” which tells a lot about the influence and patronage of the saint in the modern life of the island and over many centuries.

Saint Spyridon simply “infects” with the deepest interest in his holy personality!

Bell tower of the Church of St. Spyridon of Trimythous, city of Kerkyra (Corfu island, Greece)

The 4th century, the century of the saint’s life, was the time when the Church, which had calmed down from external persecution, began to be tormented by internal illnesses. False teachings and heresies began to disturb the minds of believers. The era demanded theological feat and defense of the apostolic faith in the refined language of philosophical concepts. Spiridon was least suitable for this. He was a man of prayer, an ascetic, a righteous man, but by no means a scribe or an orator. However, the saint went to the Council of Nicaea, convened by Emperor Constantine regarding the teachings of the Alexandrian presbyter Arius.

The heresy of Arius shook the universe. This priest dared to teach that Christ is not God, that He is not equal to the Father, and that there was a time when the Son of God did not exist. Those who carried Christ in their hearts shuddered when they heard such words. But those who had not yet overcome their sinfulness and who trusted their reason and logic too much, took up Aryan blasphemy. There were many of them. Decorated with external knowledge, arrogant and talkative, these philosophers passionately proved their opinions. And Spiridon decided to stand up for the Truth. The Fathers of the Council knew that this bishop in a shepherd's cap was holy, but not skilled in words. They held him back, fearing defeat in the disputes. But Spiridon did something unexpected. He picked up a brick and, having said a prayer, squeezed it in his hands. Glory to Thee, Christ God! Fire flared up in the hands of the holy elder, water flowed, and wet clay remained. The brick, by the power of God, decomposed into its component parts.

Temple of St. Spyridon of Trimifunt (view from St. Spyridon Street)

“Look, philosopher,” Spyridon said boldly to the defender of Arianism, “there is one plinth (brick), but there are three in it: clay, fire and water. So our God is one, but there are three Persons in Him: the Father, the Word and the Spirit.” Earthly wisdom should have fallen silent against such arguments.

This is not the only miracle of the saint, and it is not by chance that we mentioned the names of Elijah and Elisha earlier. The great prophets of Israel served God with all their hearts, and God performed amazing miracles through them. The dead were raised, lepers were cleansed, the Jordan was divided in two, the sky was closed for years and refused to rain. It seemed that the Lord at times gave His power over the created world to His chosen ones. The Third and Fourth Books of Kings tell in detail about these miracle workers.

Spiridon was like them. The Cypriot farmers were happy to have such a bishop, since heaven obeyed the saint. In case of drought, Spyridon’s prayers inclined God to mercy, and the long-awaited rain watered the earth.

Like Elisha, who tested the presence of the spirit of Elijah on himself by dividing the waters of the Jordan (4 Kings 2:14), the saint also commanded the water element. One day he was walking into the city to stand up for an unjustly accused acquaintance, and a flooded stream threatened to block his way. The saint forbade the water in the name of God and continued on his way.

At the entrance to the temple of St. Spyridon of Trimythous, the city of Kerkyra (Corfu island, Greece)

Repeatedly death gave up its prey, and through the prayers of the saint the dead were resurrected.

It should be noted that the life of St. Spyridon is not known to us in full, but only in small fragments. And even the little that is known amazes us with the power of the power and glory of God working through this man.

Getting to know the saints and all the supernatural things that happened in their lives is a touchstone for the human heart. Obviously, we cannot repeat the life of the great saints. But the joy that such people exist, and the belief that the miracles described are real, suggests that we are of the same spirit. Let them, these holy people, be as full as the sea, and we as full as a thimble, but in us and in them there is the same living water. If a person is skeptical about what he has heard, then it is unlikely that faith in the One for Whom nothing is impossible lives in his heart.

Elijah and Elisha are great saints, but the Israelites were not named after them. The father of the people and at the same time the father of all believers is Abraham. It was his incomprehensible devotion to God that became the basis of all subsequent sacred history. One of the main traits that characterized Abraham was mercy and hospitality. When we talk about Spyridon, we always remember the forefather, since the saint became completely like him in his love for the poor and strangers.

Temple of St. Spyridon of Trimythous, city of Kerkyra (Corfu island, Greece)

Love for people is higher than miracles. The one who can open both his wallet and the doors of his house to those in need, along with his heart, is a true miracle worker. No big miracles are needed. And if they do, then only in the presence of the main miracle - love for humanity.

The house of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky was not closed to wanderers. Any poor person could borrow any amount of food from his pantry. The poor man repaid the debt whenever he could. No one stood nearby and controlled the amount taken and returned.

At the same time, cruel and selfish people in the person of Spiridon met, as it were, with God Himself, terrible in His justice. The Life describes several cases when the saint punished and shamed merchants who were not ashamed to profit from someone else’s misfortune.

It happens that a person needs not so much a Heavenly Father as a Heavenly “Grandfather”, who is forgiving of mistakes and allows him to frolic. Thus, over the centuries, Spiridon’s contemporary, Nicholas the Wonderworker, was dressed as Father Frost and adapted to delivering gifts. But Nikolai not only secretly distributed gifts. At times he could use both power and force against daring sinners. This is how it was during earthly life. This continues today, when the souls of the righteous contemplate the Glory of Christ.

Altar of the Church of St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky

Spiridon is kind, like Nikolai, and like Nikolai, he is strict. One cannot exist without the other. He who knows how to love the truth knows how to hate lies. A person unjustly persecuted, a person who feels weak and defenseless, in the person of Spiridon can find a strong defender and quick helper. Just let the person asking for help not be unfair to his neighbors, since there is no partiality among the saints of God.

Among the joys that the Christian faith gives a person is the joy of finding a sense of family. A believer is never alone. There is always a cloud of witnesses around him (Heb. 12:1). People who lived in different eras and in different places and reached the Heavenly Jerusalem now constitute the church of the firstborn written in Heaven (Heb. 12:23). They watch us with love, always ready, in response to a request, to come to the rescue.

One of them is Saint Spyridon, the joy of the Cypriots, the praise of Corfu, a precious adornment to the Universal Church.

Reliquary with the relics of St. Spyridon of Trimythous

Relics of the saint until the second half of the 7th century. rested in the city of Trimifunt, and then, due to Arab raids, they were probably transferred to Constantinople by order of Emperor Justinian II (685–695). In 1453, when the capital of Byzantium fell under the onslaught of the Turks, the priest Gregory Polyeuctus, secretly taking the venerated relics, went first to Thespriotian Paramythia (modern Serbia), and in 1456 brought them to the island of Corfu (Kerkyra in Greek), where they were looking for saving many refugees from Byzantium. In Kerkyra, Polieuctos gave the sacred remains into the possession of his compatriot, the priest George Kalocheretis. The latter bequeathed a valuable treasure to his sons Philip and Luke. Philip's daughter Asimia in 1527 married the Corkyraean Stamatius Voulgaris. Her father inherited the relics of Spyridon, and from then until the 60s of the 20th century, the remains of the saint belonged to the Vulgaris family. At this moment the relics of St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky belong to the Church of Kerkyra (ed. - the shrine was not immediately transferred to the Holy Metropolis of Kerkyra, Pax and the Diapontine Islands, because in the will of Priest George Kaloheretis it was said that the holy relics would belong to the Kaloheretis family and should be passed on from generation to generation as long as this family will produce one priest from each generation.However, in the 60s of the 20th century, Metropolitan Methodius of Kerkyra did not ordain a single representative of this family as priests, as a result of which the holy relics came into the possession of the Kerkyra Metropolis).

The miraculous relics of St. Spyridon of Trimythous

It is unknown when and for what reasons the right hand was separated from the relics of the saint. According to the testimony of Christodoulus Voulgaris (the great archpriest of Corfu, who lived in the 17th century), in 1592 the right hand was delivered from Constantinople to Rome to Pope Clement VIII, who in 1606 handed over the shrine to Cardinal Cesare Baronio. The cardinal, a famous Catholic church historian, in turn, gave the right hand to the Church of the Mother of God (S. Maria in Vallicella) in Rome, as evidenced by the corresponding entry in the church archives. L. S. Vrokinis, a Greek historian, referring to Christodoulus Voulgaris, wrote that the right hand was in the temple of the Mother of God in a cone-shaped gilded repository of non-Byzantine work, about half a meter high. In November 1984, on the eve of the feast of St. Spyridon, through the efforts of the Metropolitan of Corfu, Paxi and the nearby islands Timothy, the shrine was returned to the Church of Corfu.

It is also a miracle that the patron saint of wanderers, St. Spiridnus of Trimifuntsky himself to this day never ceases to “wander,” helping everyone who turns to him with faith in prayer. In the Orthodox world he is revered as a “walking” saint - the velvet shoes worn on his feet wear out and are replaced with new ones several times a year. And the worn-out shoes are cut into pieces and handed over to believers as a great shrine. According to the testimony of Greek clergy, during the “changing of shoes” a response movement is felt.
It is impossible to tell about all the miracles that Saint Spyridon performed during his earthly life, but even after death, when he became closer to God, the saint did not stop performing them. Throughout the temple and above the sarcophagus with the relics, “tama” hang on chains, silver plates with a convex image of the figure of the whole person or individual parts of the body: heart, eyes, arms, legs, as well as silver boats, cars, many lamps - these are gifts from people who received healing or help from Saint Spyridon.

The famous velvet shoes of St. Spyridon of Trimythous, which are often changed for him, because... the soles are constantly worn down.

In Kerkyra, on the day of the blessed death of Saint Spyridon, a solemn celebration is held in his honor and memory: the reliquary with the holy relics of the Saint is carried out from the chapel to a special place near the iconostasis for three days (from Vespers on December 11 (24) to Vespers on December 13 (26), to the right of the local icon of the Savior for veneration and prayer singing to the Saint. There are four more days a year when, according to a long-standing tradition, the memory of the Saint is honored in an unusually colorful and emotional way. An expression of love and gratitude to him is the holding of religious processions with the relics of the Saint (Litanies), which were installed in memory of the miraculous help of St. Spyridon to the inhabitants of the island. Litanies are performed on Palm Sunday (Vayi week), Great (Holy) Saturday, August 11 and the first Sunday in November.

The right hand of St. Spyridon of Trimythous, returned by Catholics in 1984 to the Greek Orthodox Church

On holidays, the relics of the Saint are taken out of the silver shrine and placed in another sarcophagus, where they stand vertically, and when they are returned to the shrine again, they take their previous position. The sarcophagus with the relics of the Saint on a stretcher is carried on the shoulders of four clergymen under a special gold-woven canopy. The holy relics are preceded by bishops, clergy of all ranks, a choir, military brass bands, and candle bearers in ceremonial robes, holding thick candles with a diameter of more than 15 centimeters. They are carried in special belts slung over the shoulder. The ringing of bells floats over the city, marches of brass bands and church chants sound. There are people standing in dense rows on both sides of the street. Along the route there are stops for reading the Gospel, litanies and kneeling prayers. Closer to the temple, many people, hoping to receive healing, go out to the middle of the pavement in front of the procession and lie on their backs, face up, placing their children next to them so that the incorruptible relics of St. Spyridon will be carried over them in the ark.

It seems that these days everyone comes out to the streets of the city decorated with flags and flowers: local residents and numerous pilgrims, scout troops and representatives of various branches of the military. Perfect order, goodwill, mutual respect, and sincere empathy for everything that happens reigns everywhere. The police only restrict the entry of cars into those streets along which the religious procession takes place. Anyone who cannot go outside meets Saint Spyridon on the balcony of the house or near the window.

The religious procession on August 11 is held in memory of the salvation of Kerkyra from the Turkish invasion in 1716. On June 24, the island was besieged by a fifty-thousand-strong Turkish army; it was blocked from the sea by ships of the Ottoman Porte. Residents of the city, under the leadership of Count Schulenburg, desperately tried to repel the attacks of the infidels with weapons in their hands, but the forces of the defenders were running out after forty-six days of bloody fighting. Women, children and old people gathered in the sacred church of St. Spyridon and prayed on their knees. The Turks had already appointed the day of the general battle, which most likely would have been the last for the townspeople.
Suddenly, on the night of August 10, a terrible thunderstorm, unprecedented at this time of year, broke out - the island was literally flooded with torrents of water. At dawn the next day, when the defenders of the island were preparing to enter into a decisive battle, scouts reported that the Agarian trenches were empty and the bodies of drowned soldiers and officers lay everywhere. The survivors, abandoning their weapons and food, in horror, hastily retreated to the sea, trying to get on the ships, but many soldiers and officers were captured. It was they who said that over the walls of the fortress, in a stormy sky, the figure of a warrior suddenly appeared, holding a lighted candle and a sword in one hand, and a cross in the other. A whole host of angels followed him, and together they began to advance and drive the Turks away. Based on the descriptions of the captives, local residents recognized this heavenly warrior as their protector and patron - Saint Spyridon of Trimythous.

Procession with the relics of St. Spyridona (Kerkyra, Corfu)