Born during the end of the third century, Saint Spyridon grew on the beautiful island of Cyprus in the small village Askia. He was raised with humility and virtue and lead a righteous life. His father and mother had sheep, and often Spyridon helped tend to them learning the work of a shepherd. When he reached maturity, his parents married him to a kind girl in his village named Eirini. With her, he had one daughter. Spyridon kept his parents sheep, and worked as a shepherd on the hillside. He was a simple man, and full of love for people. Any spare money, food or goods he had were given to the homeless and those in poverty. He also helped his neighborhoods when they were in need. During Sunday and on special name days, he would take all the shepherd he knew to the services. Since he was raised in the faith and had a deep knowledge of the scripture, he would explain to those present the Gospel that was read during service.
During Emperor Constantine the Great’s rule, Spyridon’s wife reposed at an early age. Spyridon was deeply saddened, and to fill his heart with joy, he began reading more of the Holy Scriptures. He then decided to make a mission and preached the word of God to his village and nearby areas. When the priest and those in the village saw his devotion to the Lord, they encouraged him to become a priest. When Spyridon felt this calling for God, he was then ordained. He began to read many works on the theology of the faith and he fasted and prayed ceaselessly. When the Bishop of Trymithous, a village of Cyprus reposed, Sypridon was then appointed as bishop. He served with love and kindness as bishop, all while maintaining the same demeanor as before. He served the church and continued to serve the people in any charitable way he could. Due to his good heart and kind spirit he was gifted with the ability to heal those that were sickly or burdened with demons. Through his faith, he brought peace to many, cast out demons and cured illness.
It is written that in 325, Saint Spyridon was present at the first Ecumenical Council in Nicea, among 317 other Bishops. There was one Greek philosopher who also participated and he was arguing the points of Arian herisey. Spyridon spoke simply and directly, arguing his points with peace and Godly wisdom. The others who watched them converse were revealed the power of God’s grace over the fragility of self guided will. As Spyridon said, “Do listen, philosopher, There is only one God, who made man from dust. He has made all things both visible and invisible, through his Word and through his spirit. The Word is the Son, Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save sinners. He was born of a virgin through the Holy Spirit. He lived among mana and suffered and died for our salvation. He rose from the dead and through his resurrection, all of mankind has been saved. We believe he is in one essence with the Father and equal to him in power and reverence. We do not try to rationalize this with our feeble minds, for this is a mystery of God and beyond our comprehension.”
The philosopher was moved by Spyridon’s and after knowing the truth of his words, he turned to his companions and said “Hear me! Before this day, all who argued against us we have been able to combat and our truth had stood. Now, this Elder has shown us words of God that cannot be combatted as no one can refute the Lord. If you agree with my feelings, let us believe in Christ and join me to be a defender of this man, as God is speaking through him.”
The philosopher then became a close disciple of Spyridon and was then baptized properly.
Through God’s grace Spyridon was able to explain the Holy Trinity in a metaphor that people could understand. He took a brick and with his fist, he clenched and with the words “In the name of the Father” a fire rose up. As he said “the son” water fell to the ground and when he said “and the Holy Spirit” the remainder in his hand was dust. He said to those watching “This was only one brick, but three it was made of three elements. Jut as the Trinity is three persons but one God. “ All who saw who were Orthodox, or even the Arians, were amazed and no one argued or had anything to combat with.
Serving as Bishop of Trymithous, Spyridon was loving and kind. He tended to all of his spiritual children in any way that he could. He was patient in bringing those to repentance and cared for all to come back to Christ. When there was a drought, he prayed for rains and they came. When there was flooding, he prayed and the weather was calmed. He continued to heal the sickly and those who were tainted with unclean spirits.
There was a young mother who went to him with her dead child in here arms. She begged him to pray for her child and with faith and Spyridon’s prayers, the baby was alive once more. She rejoiced, and with this feeling she then collapses and died due to such excitement. Through his prayers she was once more given life.
There was a man who came to Saint Spyridon and asking him for money, as he was poor and in debt to another. At that time a snake came before Saint Spyridon. The saint made the sign of the cross over the snake and it turned to gold. He gave it to the poor man who was then able to sell it and used the money to pay his debt.
There was a woman who gave money to his daughter so that she could put it in safe keeping. Soon after, Spyridon’s daughter passed away. The next day the woman returned asking him where the money was. He took her to the body of his daughter, and making the cross over her she resurrected and told the woman where the money was. After, she then fell asleep once more.
Another instance of his miraculous works was when a close companion of his was unjustly condemned to death. As Saint Spyridon traveled to aid his friend, a stream flooded obstructing his path. The saint spoke to the water with boldness saying, “Cease! For the Lord commands you to allow me to cross to save a man.” The water then halted and he was able to pass. The judge knew of the flooding stream and he was so amazed by this miracle that he reversed Spyridon’s companion’s sentence and the man was freed.
There was an account where Saint Spyridon went into am empty church with a few other clergymen. He had all of the candles and lanterns lit and then began service. When he said “Peace be unto all.” A resounding “And with thy spirit” was heard from the heavens in a tone and sound far more beautiful than any singing of man. The angelic choir continued to sing at each corresponding verse. Those living nearby could hear the sweet voices, and were drawn to them. As a crowd began to walk to the church their hearts were filled with the joy and grace of the Holy Spirit. When they entered the doors of the church, the majestic choir ceased to sing. The people were amazed at what they had heard, as there were only a few people in the church. They rejoiced at this miracle!
Many people witnessed the angels helping him during the Divine Liturgy.
Saint Spyridon was benevolent to all, especially strangers. One day during great Lent, a man he did not know came to his door with his daughter. When Saint Spyridon saw the man, he urged his daughter to wash his feet so her father could rest as he was exhausted. After, Spyridon wished to serve the man and his daughter a meal, but due to it being a fasting period he had no food to serve. Saint Spyridon lived an ascetic way of life and he would have days without any food at all. He did not even have bread to offer his guests. Saint Spyridon told his daughter to prepare the salted ham he had in storage. After it was cooked, they prepared the table and Spyridon began to eat. The stranger hesitated saying that he was a Christian. With a smile Saint Spyridon urged him to eat saying, “As the Word of God teaches, ‘Unto the pure all things are pure.”
There was another time when a council was held in Alexandria due to the multitude of pagan temples. Through the prayers of al the fathers present at this council, all of the idols fells and crumbled except for one. The Patriarch of Alexandria beheld in a vision Saint Spyridon smashing the idol. The council then asked Saint Spyridon to come to Alexandria. As soon as he left the boat and touched the shore, the idol crumbled to dust. It was reported to the Patriarch and all of the Bishops.
Saint Spyridon was a man of great faith, and through his trust in Christ, with a single word, sickness was healed, pagan temples fell, the dead rose and nature was calmed.
He lived out his days in peace, joy and true love for Christ. After fulfilling his duties in life he gave his soul to the Lord at the age of 80 in the year 350 AD. His relics were then taken to Corfu, Greece where there is now a church in his honor. His right hand remained in Rome until 1984 and was now moved to Corfu. Every few years, his right hand travels around the world to Orthodox churches.
We also remember this great saint on Cheese-fare Saturday.
Glory be unto God, we thank you Saint Spyridon!