THE MANY MIRACLES ATTRIBUTED TO SAINT SPYRIDON THE WONDERWORKER

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

THE MANY MIRACLES ATTRIBUTED TO SAINT SPYRIDON
THE WONDERWORKER.

Drought in Cyprus

It was the will of the All-Powerful God, as the Righteous Judge, to punish the island of Cyprus with the deprivation of rain. The drought was of such a degree that a great and deadly famine resulted. These consequences usually follow severe shortages and a dearth of water and food, which in this case brought about untold fatalities. In the face of this great chastisement of God there was need of another Prophet Elias or someone like him in works, who could open the heavens by means of his prayer. Such a person, magnanimous and wondrous, was Saint Spyridon. Overcome by fatherly love, he sent up urgent and fervent entreaty to God. Our Heavenly Father, as one compassionate, did not hesitate to answer the prayer of His slave, straightway dark clouds filled the sky. Then the most marvelous phenomenon took place. Lest anyone should think that the imminent fall of rain was due to the laws of nature, God dispensed that those somber clouds stand still and hold their moisture for an inordinate amount of time. Nothing would take place until the holy Spyridon repeated his entreaty with the same faith. The Saint offered up supplication with tears, which streamed down his face and to the ground. By the grace of the All-Merciful God, he commanded the clouds, which watered the entire island. The parched earth with her thirsty crops came to fruition, and the people were delivered from this dreadful situation.

Deliverance From the Death Sentence

A certain virtuous man, a particular friend of the Saint, was hated by certain perverse and malignant men on account of his upstanding way and his God-loving deeds. In their mischief to hurt him, they slandered him, accusing him of committing some great criminal act. Since the witnesses were so manh, the Prefect condemned him to death, though unjustly, that innocent man. Saint Spyridon learned of his friend’s plight and hastened to visit him, where he was being held in bonds, so that he might release him from that unfair sentence. Now it was winter, and the road had been submerged by the river, since heavy rains created flooding. The Saint, seeing he was not able to cross over, then brought to mind Jesus of Navee at the Jordan when he passed over miraculously with the ark [Joshua 3:11-17]. The holy man, having unwavering faith that the same God Who wrought mightily such wonders was able to do so here in like manner, thereupon commanded the river as though it were a slave, saying: "Hail! The Master of all has determined that I should pass for the sake of my friend’s deliverance." Thus he spoke, and straightway the word took effect. O exceptional wonderworking! The current of that rushing torrent stood in place, leaving a path empty of water. The flow of water remained at attention until the Saint and those travelling with him passed over. This was another miracle attributed to the Saint. All those who happened to be with him witnessed with fear at the wonder. They hurried and went ahead of the holy man, proclaiming loudly the wonderworking brought about by the Saint’s word. The Prefect also learned of this wonder and was most amazed. Out of respect for the holy man, the Prefect happily released that friend and received in exchange Saint Spyridon’s blessing. The Saint had not only the gift of wonderworking but also THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS OF PROPHECY, CLAIRVOYANCE, AND CLEARLY THE CONCEALED SECRET THINGS AND SINS OF EACH. Consequently, he used every means to bring each to repentance.

First Ecumenical Synod

When the Great Constantine reigned, he convened the First Ecumenical Synod in 325 A.D. The major Sees of the Eastern Empire were well represented. The Anti-Arians included legates from the Churches of Alexandria, Antioch, Ankyra, Jerusalem, Palestinian Caesarea, Nicaea, Chalcedon, Libya, Carthage, Pannonia, Gaul, Calabria, Cordoba, Rome, Persia, Scythia, Cyprus Myra, Alexandria, Constantinople, Neo-Caesarea. The universally accepted tradition of the Church states that 318 members comprised the Synod.

The Synod was assembled against Arius the heretic, who kept spreading his blasphemy, saying that the Son and Logos/Word of God was NOT COESSENTIAL (HOMOOUSIOS) WITH THE Father. Thus, Arius was declaring that Jesus is NOT the true God but A CREATURE (KTISMA), a Greek word meaning anything THAT IS BUILT.

In the midst of this company of luminaries was the humble-minded Spyridon, whose indwelling of the Holy Spirit and virtue empowered him to surpass the worldly philosophers who were given imperial permission to attend. Though both the holy and knowledgeable Alexander and Athanasios championed Orthodoxy, in their speeches and put to shame the heretics, yet our Spyridon routed the benighted Ariomaniacs and philosophers not with words, but rather with a work of power. The Saint did not pretend to anything. He deemed himself a simple and unlettered man; nevertheless, he could not stand by idly, as the philosopher’s heated and abusive words and arguments reviled the Christ.

He approached the blasphemous philosopher and said, "Come and speak with me, O philosopher." The other Orthodox, knowing the Saint’s simplicity, frankness, and sincerity, also knew his inexperience in profane Greek learning were concerned about him and therefore wanting to rescue him from that puffed-up philosopher, they would not give him leave to speak. The Saint, however, knew how much more powerful was spiritual and lofty wisdom than fleshly wisdom and book learning. The Saint did not listen to their warning, but said these things to the philosopher" "In the Name of Jesus Christ, give me also a little hearing." The rhetor said to hi, "Speak on whatever thou dost wish."

The Saint Spyridon, great in virtue and simple, or should we say singular in learning, borne about and filled full of the All-Holy Spirit, took up A TILE IN HIS HANDS AND WENT ON SPEAKING: "ONE IS GOD WHO MADE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH, THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS. THE SAME ONE CREATED THE HEAVENLY POWERS WITHOUT HIM NOT EVEN ONE THING CAME INTO BEING THAT HATH COME TO BE [John 1:3]. And ‘by the Logos/Word of the Lord were the heavens established, and all the might of them by the Spirit of His mouth [Psalm 32:6]. The Logos made the heaven and the earth, and the firmament, which He called the heavens and divided the water which was under and above the firmament…God then said, "Let us make man" –a great and wondrous creation–according to our image and similitude [Genesis 1:26]. This Logos/Word, Whom we know to be the Son of the True Godand of one essence with the Father, we believe to be born of the Virgin. He was crucified and buried as Man, and as God He raised us up with Himself. It is He Who grants us incorruptible and everlasting life. Furthermore, we believe that, as Judge of the cosmos, He shall come in order to judge all, at which point we shall give Him an accounting of all our works, words, and desires.

"Again, we know Him to be COESSENTIAL with the Father, COEQUAL in dignity, honor, and glory. The Holy Trinity, though ONE IN ESSENCE, is tri-hypostatic, three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is an ineffable and incomprehensible mystery, and the mined of man is not able to comprehend the greatness of infinite Divinity…That you mightest be assured of the truth of these things, attend to this small and common ROOF-TILE. Though it is not proper that we should liken the Uncreated and Superessential Nature with this created and perishable creation, nevertheless, the eyes are deemed more credible witnesses in us than our ears. For all those of LITTLE FAITH, such as thyself and others who do not believe easily unless they see with their bodily eyes, I shall demonstrate before your very eyes the truth with this here CLAY TILE, which is compounded of THREE ELEMENTS THOUGH IT IS ONE IN ESSENCE.

After the Saint, inflamed with love for the Holy Trinity made the sign of the Honorable Cross with his right hand, while holding the tile in his left hand, he pronounced: "In the name of the Father, ," and instantly–lo, thy wonders, O Christ our King!–the fire which had baked the tile flared upward. Then he said, "and of the Son," –and at once, the water wherewith it had been mixed ran down, "and of the Holy Spirit," and he opened his hand in which only the clay from which it was made remained. This miracle was witnessed with astonishment by all, especially the philosopher, who was awestruck to the depths of his soul and fell silent. Thus, the Saint put to shame the disputers reputed to be wise. [Resources: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]

(To be continued)

_________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George