Hierarch Spyridon

Saint Spyridon of Trimythous was born around 270 AD in the village of Assia on Cyprus, into a poor peasant family. From childhood he worked as a shepherd, marked by gentleness and simplicity of heart. He married and had a daughter, Irene, but was soon widowed. Renowned for his holiness and miracles, he was made Bishop of Trimythous — tradition holds he continued tending sheep even as a bishop. In 325 he took part in the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, where he confronted the Arians who denied the consubstantiality of the Trinity. According to tradition, he took a clay brick in his hand and, as he pressed it, it simultaneously turned to fire, water, and clay — a spontaneous demonstration that three natures could coexist in one substance. He became famous for miracles of healing, aid to the poor and travelers, and for exposing dishonesty and greed. He died in prayer around 348 in Trimythous. After Arab raids in the 7th century his relics were moved to Constantinople, and in 1456 to the island of Corfu, where they remain incorrupt to this day in the cathedral built in his honor.