Surrounded by greenery, caressed by the sea and warmed by the sun, the island of Corfu is considered the exquisite pearl of Greece. Both sophisticated tourists and God-loving pilgrims come here. Everyone here is calm and joyful, because everyone is under the protection of the wondrous saint - St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky. His name is translated from Greek - “strong”, “strong”, “reliable”. The main shrine of the island is the incorruptible relics of the miracle worker. They are kept in the temple of the same name in the island capital - the city of Kerkyra.
Local residents say that every day Saint Spyridon of Trimifuntsky walks around his island, checking who needs his help and protection.
Saint Spyridon of Trimifuntsky St. Petersburg, early 19th century. Canvas, oil, wood. 166 × 71.8 cm State Museum of the History of Religion, St. Petersburg.
The main day in Corfu
In Greece, the solemn celebration of the saint's memorial day takes place on December 12 (Orthodox Greeks live according to the New Julian calendar).
Interesting fact
On this day, in addition to the festive Divine Liturgy, a religious procession is held with the honorable remains of Bishop Trimifuntsky - a litany. This is truly an international Christian holiday. The day before, December 11th, a vigil is celebrated. In the Corfu Cathedral, after the liturgy, the clergy carry the ark with the honest remains of St. Spyridon to the pulpit.
On December 12, choral prayer singing flows throughout the church: glorification and magnification of the great saint of God. The holy relics are transferred to a special gilded reliquary with a small glass window, through which the bishop is visible up to his shoulders. According to ancient Greek tradition, a truly grandiose, majestic procession begins.
Festive bells ring over Kerkyra, solemn marches of brass bands thunder, and church chants flow. The streets of the island capital are filled with a colorful sea of flowers, the houses are decorated with flags. The city is immersed in an atmosphere of celebration and joy: everyone’s beloved bishop is walking.
Procession with the relics of St. Spyridon of Trimythous in Corfu
Under a special gold-woven canopy, the reliquary with the relics of the saint is carried on a special stretcher by four priests. He is held vertically on his shoulders like a functioning hierarch on the episcopal throne, who watches his large flock through a special glass window.
Useful materials
The solemn procession is attended by bishops, Greek clergy, mayors, a military brass band, a church choir, soldiers, veterans and schoolchildren. The ceremoniously dressed candle bearers carry huge candles with a circumference of more than 15 cm in special sword belts. At the beginning of the column are ancient banners and lanterns. The movement of the procession takes place with stops, during which the Gospel, litanies and prayers are read.
Thousands of pilgrims, tourists and Orthodox Greeks line the route of the solemn column. Many local residents meet their beloved patron from the windows of their houses or from their balconies. The sick, the possessed, the suffering lie on the road, prayerfully asking the saint for blessings and, if the Lord grants, healing. The saint's reliquary is carried over them.
In this solemn procession the true soul of Orthodox Corfu is revealed. For these few hours, all earthly worries and worries are forgotten, the hearts of believers are filled with spiritual, quiet joy. At this moment, the unshakable faith of many people in the power of the prayers of their beloved bishop is amazingly felt.
At the end of the religious procession, the shrine with the relics of the saint is left open on the pulpit for three days so that all pilgrims can bow to the Cypriot bishop.
ark with right hand
The veneration of the Greek miracle worker in Corfu is constant. In addition to the Corfinians themselves, every day many pilgrims with petitions and thanksgiving visit the Cathedral of Agios Spyridonos.
In Corfu, 4 more great litanies are celebrated throughout the year, when the Greek church especially remembers its heavenly patron:
- on Vaiya Week - Palm Sunday - in memory of the deliverance of the island through the prayers of the saint from a terrible plague epidemic in 1630;
- on Holy Saturday - the oldest tradition of special veneration for saving Corfu from a deadly famine in the 15th century.
- August 11 - in gratitude for the miraculous victory over the Turkish invaders during the Venetian-Turkish War of 1715. Appearing before the invaders with a sword, St. Spiridon put them to flight - the siege was lifted. It has been noticed that it is in this procession that the largest number of believers participate;
- On the first Sunday of November, the Corfinians perform a solemn litany in gratitude for the miraculous help and intercession of the saint during the second plague epidemic in 1673.
How to spend this day for those who revere St. Spiridon
The Russian Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Spyridon on December 25. On this day, many monasteries and churches hold a prayer service with the reading of a canon (or akathist) to the saint. You can order a prayer service and, if possible, honor the memory of the saint with your presence at this service. If desired, if there is an icon of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky at home, believers can independently offer prayers with thanksgiving or petition in church or at home. Prayer is an encounter.
Saint Spyridon of Trimifuntsky
As St. John Chrysostom taught, before starting prayer, stand in front of a bright image and close your eyes so that your feelings and thoughts find peace. Perhaps, in order to find the necessary prayerful mood, it is worth placing a candle in front of the icon of the holy saint of God.
Life of Spiridon of Trimifuntsky
Spyridon was born in a village near Trimifunt in Cyprus, in 270. As a child, he was a shepherd, and was distinguished by meekness and humility, and led a godly life. He was poor, but tried to help those in need. His kindness attracted people to him. After the death of Bishop Trimifunt, Spyridon was unanimously elected as the first priest of the city. But even being in such a high rank, he continued to work hard.
For his virtue, the Lord endowed Spiridon with the gift of healing people. Saint Spyridon delivered people from mental illnesses and also cast out demons. Many miracles are described in the memoirs of Spiridon.
In 325, on the initiative of Emperor Constantine the Great, the First Ecumenical Council was convened, which took place in Nicaea. At this Council, three hundred and eighteen holy fathers met together for the first time, among whom were Bishops Spyridon of Trimythous and His Holiness Nicholas of Myra (Nicholas the Wonderworker). Important church matters were discussed here. After Spiridon's speech, many said that they felt special strength.
After the Council, the fame of Spyridon spread much wider. He was respected and revered, but the humble saint returned home to Cyprus and continued to fulfill his duties. After the death of Constantine the Great, his son Constantius, who was very weak, became emperor. Nobody could help him. But Constantius once saw a vision in which two priests healed him. After a long search, Spyridon came to him with his disciple, and with the help of prayer he healed the emperor. Numerous courtiers witnessed this miracle.
The emperor communicated a lot with Spiridon and respected him. Thanks to this communication, he freed the church ministers from taxes, and rewarded Spiridon himself. Spiridon distributed everything to those in need.
Modern miracles
Believers usually ask Saint Spyridon for help in resolving housing issues, in financial need, for success in business and work, for increasing family happiness, healing from illnesses and protection from enemies.
The brethren of the Danilov Monastery, where the shoe of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky is kept in the Intercession Church in a special icon case, a chronicle of his miraculous help is kept:
“I have a disabled child, we went for his sake, but I asked not only about his health, but also about work, because There are few people willing to hire people with problems, and just a MIRACLE happened - a day later they called and offered me a job, and on the same day I met a relative who told me about new medications that could help my child. Thank you very much Saint Spyridon!”
Natalia.
“My husband and I really wanted children. After an examination, two doctors told me that getting pregnant would be very, very problematic due to hormonal levels. They gave me directions for a huge number of expensive tests. We hadn’t even had time to take a single test yet when a MIRACLE happened. My husband and I venerated the Hand of St. Spyridon on September 27, 2010. Soon I found out about my pregnancy. Absolutely accurately, according to all the analyzes and tests, I conceived a child on the day when we went to St. Spyridon. Saint Spyridon, pray to God for us sinners. Thank God for everything!"
Nika
“I smoked for 19 years. I asked St. for help. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky. I don't smoke anymore. God is marvelous in His Saints, the God of Israel!”
Olga.
“For a long time I had trouble getting a mortgage and buying an apartment. The church advised me to go to the Danilov Monastery and ask for help from St. Spiridon. I am grateful for such a hint: everything worked out for me and now I am the owner of the apartment.”
Marina.
Monastery address: Moscow, Danilovsky Val street, 22.
Perhaps the greatest miracle of Saint Spyridon is that he breathed unflagging, strong faith in the mercy of God into everyone who turned to him. Whether you are near the holy relics in Corfu, or venerate a particle of the relics or the temple icon of a saint, you involuntarily feel his blessing and the breath of Heaven. Holy Hierarch Father Spyridon, pray to God for us!
Author: Ekaterina Malikova
First prayer to Saint Spyridon of Trimifuntsky
O Great and wonderful saint of Christ and wonderworker 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, and for the holiness of your life the angels invisibly in the church you had those singing and serving with you. Sitsa, therefore, glorify you, His faithful servant, Lord Christ, for you are given the gift of understanding all the secret human deeds and convicting those who live unrighteously. You zealously helped many living in poverty and lack, you nourished the poor people abundantly during famine, and you created many other signs by the power of the living Spirit of God in 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 for many of our sins, grant us a comfortable and peaceful life, and grant us a shameless and peaceful death and 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. Amen.
Second prayer to Saint Spyridon of Trimifuntsky
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 at the people standing here and asking for your strong help. Pray to the compassion of God, the Lover of Mankind, not to judge us according to 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 devilish slander! Be a comforter to the sad, a physician to the sick, a helper in times of adversity, a protector to the naked, a protector to widows, a protector to the orphans, a nourisher to the baby, a strengthener to the old, a guide to the wandering, a sailing helmsman, and intercede to all those who require your strong help, even useful for salvation! For if we are guided and observed by your prayers, 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 to Saint Spyridon of Trimifuntsky third
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 Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Where are the relics of the saint?
The world reveres Saint Spyridon as a wise and modest person with the gift of seeing and understanding people. For everyone who heard about Spyridon of Trimythous and knew the saint, he was a pure example of piety, simplicity and modesty. His earthly life ended at the age of about 80 during prayer. The exact date of repose of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky is unknown, but it is believed that it happened in 348.
The relics of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky rest on the island of Corfu in the church named after him, and his right hand is located in the Church of Our Lady of Santa Maria in Rome. For so many centuries the body of the saint did not succumb to decay.
There is also a shrine to Spyridon of Trimifuntsky in Moscow - the saint’s shoe, which was brought from the island of Corfu. This shrine is located in the Intercession Church of the Danilov Monastery.
Festive service
The greatness of the holiday is reflected in the festive service at Christmas. On this day the prayer “King of Heaven” is read. This is what we call Christ, honoring Him as the Lord God. This prayer is read not only during the period from Easter to Pentecost, and many services are open for it, not just holidays. This is followed by the litany and hymn “God With Us.” This hymn reminds us of the prophet Isaiah, who 700 years before the birth of Christ announced the coming of the Savior of the world, born of a virgin. He described the events of his earthly life, death and resurrection. This is followed by the song of Simeon Receiving God, which speaks of the accompaniment of the Divine Child in the Temple of Jerusalem, which was traditionally performed on the fortieth day of life. At the festive service on the day of the Nativity of Christ, the irmos is sung - the title of the Christmas canon. There are nine hymns in the canon, the beginning of the ninth hymn (irmos) is the thread connecting the Old Call with the New Testament. He says that we Christians are better off loving silence. Many preachers do not find words to convey the essence of the mystery of the birth of Christ. The service is held in Church Slavonic. The hymnography of Ancient Rus' and Byzantium is enormous. As you know, all services run daily. On the eve of the holidays, morning and evening services merge into a single “All-Night Vigil”. These services only take place twice a year, at Christmas and Easter. The Patriarchal Christmas service takes place in the Russian Orthodox Church, when the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church addresses the flock.
Christmas morning is sung at night. This night we listen to the angelic song: Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will in people. This is gratitude to God for being incarnate and saving us. We also listen to the polyeleos, verses of these psalms that glorify the mercy of the Lord. Then comes the greatness: a short song praising God. The composition of the festive matins includes a sepulchral and sepulchral antiphon. The antiphons imitate a choir of angels praising the Lord. The names refer to the way these songs are performed. Then the antiphons are sung in turn. This is followed by the prokeimenon, which precedes the reading of a passage from Holy Scripture dedicated to the Nativity of Christ. What follows is a gospel stichera explaining the words of Holy Scripture.
