Saints of the Aquarius Age

SAINT SPYRIDON

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Spyridon of Tremythous (or of Salamis) is revered among Saints as Wonderworker.

In ancient times, in the homes of Orthodox believers, one could often see the icon of Nicholas of Myra along with the icon of Saint Spyridon. However, this is by no means surprising, since they lived at the same time, they exposed Arius together at the First Ecumenical Council, and contemporaries knew them both as helpers and defenders of the poor, weak and unjustly offended, as quick helpers in many everyday troubles.

The usual everyday details from the life of Saint Spyridon are little known. He was born around 270 in the village of Assia, located near the village of Tremythous (today called Tremetousia), which in its turn was located 30 kilometers from Constantia (Salamis) on the island of Cyprus. He led a shepherd’s quiet life, not much different from his neighbors. Although he lived prosperously, and divided his harvest into three parts: one he gave to the poor, the second – to those in need as a debt, the third he kept for himself… However, he personally did not give anything, he simply showed the entrance to his pantry, where everyone could take what they needed, and then return it in the same way, without checking and reporting.

Spyridon had a wife and children, and love reigned in his family, growing stronger over the years. When Spyridon’s wife fell ill and died, he took her death hard, but he knew that his heart should not become embittered…

Some time passed, and he broke his seclusion, deciding to devote himself exclusively to serving people. By the way, during the life of his wife, he was ordained bishop of the Cypriot city of Tremythous (hence his name Spyridon of Tremythous). However, having taken a high rank, he continued herding sheep and working on the ground…

 

Spyridon became famous for his sincere Christian faith and for acts of his great piety and charity. As they say in his life story, written in Russian by St. Demetrius of Rostov, the famous church leader of the 17th century, Spyridon “led a pure and pious life, imitating David in meekness, Jacob in simplicity of heart and Abraham in love for strangers”… Upon the death of his wife, Spyridon entered a monastery and “began to serve God even more freely and zealously with good deeds, spending all his wealth on accepting strangers and feeding the poor… Thus he pleased God so much that he was rewarded from Him with the gift of performing miracles – he healed incurable diseases and cast out demons with a single word.” Moreover, through his prayer, during droughts that often threatened the island of Cyprus, it rained: “We see Spyridon, the great wonderworker, equally angelic… Once, the country suffered greatly from lack of rain and drought: there was a famine and a plague, and many people died, but with the prayers of the Saint, rain came down from heaven to earth: the people, having got rid of disaster, gratefully cried out: Rejoice…” That is, a drought began on the island, the fields were dying, Bishop Spyridon of Cyprus prayed – and it began raining… A day, two… a week… Spyridon again turned to the Lord with a prayer – the rain stopped, and the earth saturated with moisture gave great abundance… That is, with his prayers Saint Spyridon saved Cyprus from hunger… And this is not an isolated case! The Saint with great love constantly cared for his flock: through his prayer, the drought was replaced with abundant life-giving rain, and continuous rains – with a good weather… Therefore, it is not surprising that Saint Spyridon is often compared with Saint Prophet Elijah…

 

Even during his lifetime, Spyridon, Bishop of Cyprus, did not refuse help and shelter to anyone in need, healed the sick, cast out demons, stopped river flows, knew secret thoughts of people and their hidden vices… Actually, Saint Spyridon helped not only the poor… More precisely, he made no distinction between the rich and the poor, the rulers and the enslaved…

It is widely known how Emperor Constantius, son of Emperor Constantine the Great, wanted to generously reward the Bishop of Tremythous. The Roman ruler did this of his good will and as a sign of great gratitude, since it was Spyridon who cured the emperor from a long-standing serious illness. When Constantius began to persuade the bishop to accept his gifts, he replied, “It is not good to pay with hatred for love, for what I have done for you is love. I left home, sailed the sea for a long time, endured severe cold and winds to heal you. Isn’t that love? And you give me gold, as a payment… Love cannot be bought! It’s a gift from above, which through gratitude in the soul makes us happy!” As a result, in order not to upset the grateful patient, Saint Spyridon nevertheless accepted his offering – and immediately, descending the steps of the imperial palace, he distributed everything received to the needy, teaching the emperor a lesson in wisdom and generosity.

By the way, the largest number of miraculous events associated with the name of the Saint belongs to this time.

One of the most famous miracles performed by Spyridon of Tremythous was walking on water, like on dry land… As it is said in the life story of Saint Spyridon, one day he had to go to a neighboring village in which his friend lived, who had falsely been accused of a crime, imprisoned and sentenced to death. However, suddenly the path of the Bishop of Tremythous was blocked by an overflowing stream, and there was no way around. “The Wonderworker remembered how Joshua with the Ark of the Covenant crossed the overflowing Jordan as on dry land, and, believing in the omnipotence of God, ordered the stream, like a servant, “Stop! Thus the Lord of the whole world commands you, so that I may pass over and the man, for whose sake I hasten, may be saved.” As soon as he said this, immediately the stream stopped in its course and opened a dry path – not only for the Saint, but also for the travelers who accompanied him. The witnesses of the miracle hurried to the Judge and informed him of the approach of the Saint and of what he had done on the way. The Judge immediately released the condemned man and returned him unharmed to the Saint.

Here’s another case… Once a woman came to Spyridon with a dead child in her arms, asking for his intercession. After praying, Spyridon brought the baby back to life. The mother, shocked by the miracle, fell down lifeless, but the prayer of Spyridon brought her back to life.

It is also known from the life of the Saint how once he entered an empty church, ordered to light lamps and candles, and began his Divine service. Having proclaimed “Peace to all,” he and the deacon heard in response a great multitude of voices resounding from above, “And your spirit!” This choir was more powerful and sweeter than any human singing – at every litany, an invisible choir sang, “Lord, have mercy!”… Attracted by the singing coming from the church, the parishioners hurried to it, and as they approached the church, the wonderful singing filled their ears and delighted their hearts more and more… However, when they entered the church, they did not see anyone but the bishop with a few church officials, and the heavenly singing ceased… Amazement came on all…

From the story of Socrates Scholasticus is also known about how thieves, out of ignorance or stupidity, decided to steal the sheep of Spyridon… In the dead of night, they got into the sheepfold, but immediately an invisible force bound them, and when in the morning Spyridon came to the flock, he saw those tied robbers. After praying, he untied them and for a long time persuaded to leave the lawless path and earn their livelihoods by honest labor, and then, giving each a sheep and letting them go, he affectionately said, “At least you stayed awake not in vain” …

In addition, here’s another fact… The Saint was at the First Ecumenical Council, which was held in Nicaea in 325. As you know, at that time, true believing Christians opposed the supporters of the heresy of Arius (the Arians believed that Christ was not born of God the Father, but was only the highest creation). At the council, a dispute arose between the Orthodox and the Arians. On the side of the Arians, the wisest Greek philosophers spoke, who ridiculed the teachings of the Orthodox with their speeches. Then Bishop Spyridon of Tremythous decided to make a speech, but his associates did not want to give the floor to a simple bishop who did not have the gift of eloquence. Nevertheless, Spyridon began his speech, and, actually, it was not he who was speaking, but God Himself through his mouth. Moreover, after what was said, the Greek sage Eulogy, who was the main orator among the sages, could not object, since he understood that the power of God was poured out in the speech of his opponent. Struck by what he heard, the philosopher immediately accepted the teachings of Christ.

By the way, at this Council of Nicaea, Spyridon of Tremythous clearly illustrated a metaphor for the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity. He took a brick and squeezed it… The brick is said to have miraculously burst into flame, water dripped on the ground, and only dust remained in his hand, thus he showed how one single entity (a brick) could be composed of three unique entities (fire, water and clay).

 

Saint Spyridon lived a long life, taught and led many Christians to faith, performing many miracles. His last days of life were also marked by the special grace of God. It was hot, and Spyridon, together with the reapers, worked in the field. Suddenly a cool dew fell on his head. Touching his forehead, the Saint understood and informed everyone that the time had come for him to go to the Lord. For a few more days, Spyridon of Tremythous gave instructions to all his relatives, and continued praying. It happened during the prayer that he rested (about 348). He was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Tremythous, in the middle of the 7th century the relics were transferred to Constantinople, and in 1453 – to Corfu, to the temple of its capital Kerkyra. The inhabitants of this Greek island turn to the Saint for help in any everyday circumstances. He helped those in need of a roof over their heads – to finally get a new apartment, those who lost money and documents – to miraculously return them, and those who had long and hopelessly dreamed of children – to become happy parents. Access to the relics is open twice a day, and visitors are given strings of the Saint’s shoes to which they were dismantled… The fact is that the Saint’s feet are shod in velvet boots, which can be venerated. There is a belief that if you kiss the Saint’s feet, shod in shoes, he will heal any disease.

It is surprising that these boots wear out unusually quickly from his… constant wanderings, and have to be changed almost every year. Believers say that this is because many people turn to Saint Spyridon with prayers, and he does not refuse anyone…

 

Well yeah…, Saint Spyridon walks the earth far and wide, helps everyone and everywhere, and why his shoes should not wear out?

By the way, to the surprise of scientists all over the world, the temperature of the holy relics of the Saint is 36.6 degrees, his hair and nails grow, and the body is still soft. When the Saint comes out of the shrine to help people, the shrine simply does not open, and priests know that it is empty…

In Kerkyra, on the day of the death of Saint Spyridon, a solemn celebration is held in his honor: the shrine with the holy relics of the Saint is taken out of the chapel to a special place at the iconostasis, i. e. to the right of the local icon of The Savior for worshiping and praying to the Saint for three days (from the evening of December 11 (24) to the evening of 13 (26) December). Moreover, as already mentioned, his shoes should be “changed”, and the worn out shoes should be presented.

 

The inhabitants of Russia are also lucky – there are places in Russia where everyone can come and ask Saint Spyridon for help, or maybe even thank for the miracle that has already been performed. Many staunch believers, and actually not that staunch, have already personally witnessed that through prayers to Saint Spyridon of Tremythous real miracles can be performed.

Saint Spyridon’s shoes were donated to The Moscow Intercession Church of Danilov Monastery, The Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery and The Uglich Epiphany Monastery.

By the way, Saint Spyridon was especially revered in ancient Novgorod and Moscow. In 1633 in Moscow, a temple in the name of the Prelate – Spiridonovskaya Church on the Goat Bog was erected, which, unfortunately, has not survived… Nevertheless, in Moscow, in honor of Saint Spyridon of Tremythous, churches appeared in Nagatinsky Zaton, in Fili-Davydkovo, in Yuzhny Butovo, as well as a chapel at Savelovsky railway station. In Saint Petersburg, there are churches in Admiralty, in Lomonosov and a chapel in Vasilevsky Island. In the Moscow Church of the Resurrection of the Word at Assumption Vrazhek two revered icons of Saint Spyridon are kept with a particle of his holy relics. The statue of Saint Spyridon was installed at the temple-chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel in Yalta.

 

Thousands and thousands of Christians turn to Saint Spyridon every day, and, first of all, those:

  • • who found themselves in tight financial circumstances;
  • • who live in poverty;
  • • who cannot support their family;
  • • who experience financial difficulties;
  • • who do not have a job;
  • • who cannot solve their pressing housing problems;
  • • who cannot afford their own housing;
  • • who are in legal or bureaucratic difficulties;
  • • who cannot achieve prosperity in business;
  • • who cannot develop their career…

 

The Wonderworker also:

  • • patronizes farmers protecting them from ruin, crop failure, natural disasters, loss of livestock;
  • • saves from shipwreck (pulls drowning people out of the water and returns them to land);
  • • heals various diseases;
  • • softens the heart;
  • • stops strife;
  • • bestows humility and love for one’s neighbor;
  • • protects from ill-wishers and swindlers;
  • • strengthens in faith;
  • • helps to settle everyday life difficulties;
  • • frees from delusions and temptations…

 

Today, as in life, Saint Spyridon helps everyone who turns to him! Well, his smile is so… mysterious, “Of course, I will help you, but whether it will be good for you or not, depends on you!” Or “I’ll help you! I can do anything! Can you?” “If you want, I’ll turn unsightly you into beauty, Cinderella better…”

 

His feast day is celebrated in the East on the Saturday before Great Lent (known as “Cheesfare Saturday”) and December 12. For those Eastern Churches that follow the traditional Julian calendar, December 12 falls on December 25 of the modern Gregorian calendar. In the West, he is commemorated on December 14.