The Venerable Life of Saint Spyridon of Tremithus
Memory 25th of December
Troparion
At the First Council you appeared as a champion of Truth and a Wonderworker, O our God-bearing Father Spyridon. / For you spoke to one dead in her grave, and transformed a serpent into gold; / while chanting your holy prayers / you had Angels serving with you, most holy one. / Glory to Him Who glorified you. / Glory to Him Who crowned you. / Glory to Him Who, through you, grants healing to all.
Kontakion
Wounded by the love of Christ, most holy one, your mind was given wings by the radiance of the Spirit, O God-inspired one, / you found your work in active contemplation, O God-pleasing Spyridon, / becoming a godly sacrifice, and entreating divine illumination for all.
A Shepherd, Bishop, and Wonderworker of the Orthodox Church
Saint Spyridon of Tremithus was born towards the end of the third century on the island of Cyprus, a land blessed by the Lord. He was a humble shepherd, tending to his flock with diligence and devotion, while also being a faithful husband and father. The saint’s life was marked by his unwavering commitment to serving the Lord and his neighbors, for which he was rewarded with the gift of wonderworking.
His Early Life and Ministry
The saint’s wife and children were his earthly family, but his spiritual family encompassed all those in need. He would often provide for the homeless and the poor, utilizing all his substance for their benefit. The Lord, seeing his selfless devotion, granted him the ability to heal the incurably sick and cast out demons.
His Episcopal Ministry
After the repose of his wife, during the reign of the pious Emperor Constantine the Great (306-337), Saint Spyridon was ordained as the Bishop of Tremithus, Cyprus. As a bishop, he continued to live a life of simplicity and charity, combining his pastoral duties with deeds of kindness and compassion. His episcopal ministry was characterized by his unwavering commitment to the teachings of the Orthodox Church and his unrelenting defense of the faith against heresy.
The First Ecumenical Council
The saint participated in the sessions of the First Ecumenical Council in the year 325, where he engaged in a dispute with a Greek philosopher who was defending the Arian heresy. With his plain, direct speech, Saint Spyridon demonstrated the power of God’s wisdom, proclaiming:
“Listen, philosopher, to what I tell you. There is one God Who created man from dust. He has ordered all things, both visible and invisible, by His Word and His Spirit. The Word is the Son of God, Who came down upon the earth on account of our sins. He was born of a Virgin, He lived among men, and suffered and died for our salvation, and then He arose from the dead, and He has resurrected the human race with Him. 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.”
The philosopher, moved by the saint’s words, became a zealous defender of Christianity and later received holy Baptism.
The Miracle of the Brick
At the Council, Saint Spyridon performed a remarkable miracle, demonstrating the unity of the Holy Trinity. He took a brick in his hand and squeezed it, causing fire to shoot up from it, water to drip on the ground, and only dust to remain in his hands. The saint explained:
“There was only one brick, but it was composed of three elements. In the Holy Trinity, there are three Persons, but only one God.”
His Wonderworking and Charity
The saint’s life was filled with numerous miracles and acts of charity. Through his prayers, drought was replaced by abundant rains, and incessant rains were replaced by fair weather. He healed the sick, cast out demons, and even raised the dead. A notable example is the story of a woman who came to him with a dead child in her arms, and the saint, through his prayers, restored the infant to life.
His Hospitality and Generosity
Saint Spyridon was known for his hospitality and generosity, often receiving strangers into his home and providing for their needs. He would distribute a portion of his harvest to the destitute and those in debt, allowing them to take what they needed without records or accountings.
His Legacy
The saint’s legacy is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the Orthodox faith and his selfless devotion to serving others. His feast day is celebrated on December 12, and his memory is also honored on Cheesefare Saturday. His relics repose on the island of Corfu (Kerkyra), in a church named after him, and his right hand is located in Rome.
May the life and example of Saint Spyridon of Tremithus inspire us to live a life of righteousness, sanctity, and service to others, and may his intercessions before the Lord grant us strength, wisdom, and salvation.
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