Icon of St. Spyridon of Trimythus the Wonderworker - 21st c. - 00STTH04

Feast Day/Commemorated: December 12

Early Life, Piety, and Miraculous Gifts

Saint Spyridon of Trimythus was born towards the end of the third century on the island of Cyprus. He lived a humble life as a shepherd, married, and had children. His deep piety was evident in his generous use of all his possessions to help his neighbors and the homeless. For this profound charity, the Lord blessed him with the gift of wonderworking, enabling him to heal the incurably sick and cast out demons. After the death of his wife, during the reign of Constantine the Great (306-337), he was appointed Bishop of Trimythus, Cyprus. As a bishop, Saint Spyridon remained steadfast in his simple way of life, seamlessly combining his pastoral duties with continued acts of charity and compassion.

Defender of Orthodoxy at the First Ecumenical Council

A pivotal moment in Saint Spyridon's life occurred at the First Ecumenical Council in 325 AD. Here, he famously engaged in a theological dispute with a Greek philosopher who was advocating the Arian heresy. With plain, direct speech, Saint Spyridon powerfully articulated the essence of Christian faith, emphasizing God's wisdom over human reason. He declared, "Listen, philosopher...There is one God Who created man from dust...The Word is the Son of God, Who came down upon the earth on account of our sins...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." This profound declaration led to the philosopher's conversion and zealous defense of the saint. At the same council, Saint Spyridon miraculously demonstrated the unity of the Holy Trinity by squeezing a brick, from which fire, water, and dust simultaneously emerged, illustrating the single nature of three elements, akin to the three Persons in one God.

Pastoral Care and Continuous Miracles

Saint Spyridon cared for his flock with immense love and demonstrated continuous miraculous power. Through his fervent prayers, droughts were relieved by abundant rains, and incessant rains yielded to fair weather. He healed the sick and cast out demons. In one poignant instance, he resurrected a dead infant, and when the overjoyed mother collapsed lifeless, he restored her to life as well through his prayers. Another time, rushing to save a falsely accused friend sentenced to death, a flooded stream blocked his path. Saint Spyridon 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 water obeyed, allowing him to cross and secure his friend's freedom, deeply impressing the judge.

Hospitality, Wisdom, and Invisible Choirs

Saint Spyridon's life was also marked by remarkable simplicity and profound hospitality, likened by Saint Simeon Metaphrastes to that of Patriarch Abraham. Sozomen recounts an incident during the Forty-day Fast when Saint Spyridon, discovering his home devoid of Lenten provisions, miraculously provided salted ham for an exhausted traveler, citing, "Unto the pure all things are pure" (Titus 1:15). It was his custom to allow those in debt or need to take what they required from his storeroom, trusting them to repay it in kind without formal records. Socrates Scholasticus also records how robbers who attempted to steal his sheep were inexplicably bound by an invisible power, only to be released by the saint's prayer, receiving a sheep as a gift for their trouble and gentle counsel to abandon their wicked ways. Furthermore, the saint once celebrated a divine service in an empty church, and both he and the deacon distinctly heard an invisible choir of angels respond to their petitions, a majestic and melodious sound that drew astonished onlookers who, upon entering, found only the bishop and church servers, with the wondrous singing ceasing.

Demolishing Idols and Righteous Repose

The Lives of Saint Spyridon consistently emphasize his amazing simplicity and the divine gift of wonderworking. His spoken word could awaken the dead, tame natural elements, and shatter idols. At a council in Alexandria convened to address pagan idols, all idols miraculously fell except one, which was highly revered. It was revealed through a vision that this last idol would be shattered by Saint Spyridon of Trimythus. As the saint's ship touched the shore of Alexandria, the idol and all its offerings instantly turned to dust, a phenomenon reported to the Patriarch and all the assembled bishops. Having lived a life of profound righteousness and sanctity, Saint Spyridon prayerfully surrendered his soul to the Lord. His holy relics are venerated on the island of Corfu (Kerkyra) in a church dedicated to him, with his right hand preserved in Rome, testament to his enduring spiritual power and influence.

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