SAINT SPYRIDON’S LIFE WAS A LIFE OF MIRACLES

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.

SAINT SPYRIDON’S LIFE WAS A
LIFE OF MIRACLES.

The Miraculous Filling Church Lamp

On another occasion, as the Saint was chanting Vespers (Esperinos), the lamp was about to be extinguished, which would interrupt the Divine Office. He stood there grieved as he looked at the waning lamp. Straightway, an invisible power filled the lamp with oil overflowing, so that some spilled on the floor. Consequently, the church servers brought in jar after jar, and the jars were being filled by the overflowing oil. Thus with the miraculous filling of many vessels, even as it happened in ancient times for the widow by Prophet Eliseos, the abundance of grace that dwelt in the holy bishop was made manifest.

The Pagan Idols are Brought Down Through Prayer

At that time, the Patriarch of Alexandria convened a Synod. As a zealot of ardent piety, he wished to assemble all the hierarchs of his Dioceses so that they might send up common prayers for the breaking and elimination of all the idols that still existed in the various regions. All the invited Bishops came, together with other godly individuals, that they might offer up both conciliar and private entreaty. God indeed hearkened to his servants and brought the idols down. They fell to the ground, broke, and became dust. There was, however, one idol that remained in the Patriarch’s jurisdiction. Once again the Bishops and fathers offered up common supplications for the fall of that particular idol, but that most profane object remained whole. This took place by Divine economy that the servant of the Lord, Spyridon, might be glorified and revealed to others. For many did yet know the power procured by the Great Saint Spyridon’s prayer. That same night, in his sleep, the Patriarch beheld the Angel of the Lord appear to him and say, "Cease grieving on account of that idol which did not fall, for thus God wills until the coming from Cyprus of the Great Spyridon, Hierarch of Trimythous. Do thou quickly invite him." The Patriarch, hearing these words, arose and with all dispatch wrote to Bishop Spyridon, disclosing to him the reason for such a visit and vision he beheld. He added that his coming must take place,as no excuse would be countenanced.

Upon receiving the Patriarch’s letter, the Saint, as one obedient, was not negligent or careless. He straightway made arrangements and arrived in the Alexandrian harbor, which was called New City (Neapolis). The Saint was readying to disembark and go directly to the Patriarchate. All the while he kept constant prayer. The moment he left the ship and his foot set upon dry land, that hideous idol came crashing down. Behold, the miracle! The Patriarch saw the collapse of the idol and understood that it signaled the coming of the Saint. The Patriarch then remarked to those standing by, "You may be sure that the Great Spyridon has come; and for this cause that idol was thrown headlong down." This prodigious wonder (miracle) was proclaimed in every place, which generated universal joy. Indeed, the event not only confirmed the Orthodox in their Faith but also caused many of the Greek pagans to come forward for holy illumination in holy Baptism. This miracle was not only circulated by word of mouth but also depicted in holy icons. There is also the famous portrayal of the Saint and the transformation of the golden serpent. Both oral and written tradition confirm these miracles. We must now speak of these events leading to the end of his earthly sojourn.

The Saint Works on His Farm

Toward the close of Saint Spyridon’s life, during harvest time, he, as one humble-minded, worked alongside his laborers in the field. One time, when it was very hot and not a cloud was in the sky, THERE FELL FROM ABOVE A DELICATE DRIZZLE UPON THE HOLY MAN, SO AS TO COOL HIS HEAD. This DID NOT TAKE PLACE FOR ANYONE ELSE PRESENT, but the others noticed the phenomenon. Christ, the Heavenly Cultivator, wished not only to bedew that excellent head but also to gather in His animate fruit; that is, the time of Spyridon’s earthly sojourn was drawing near to an end. Now when the Saint laid his right hand on his sacred head and showed the bystanders teh dew, it was observed that he suddenly generated hairs on his head that were both blonde and black. "I," says the Greek compiler, "knew not the significance of this sign." The Saint, however, understood and said to those present, "Know that in a little while my soul shall be separated from the body; for the All-Good God wishes to honor me with much glory upon my repose. Countless crowds of people came to celebrate that day with a great festival." Thus, the dew of heaven that came down upon his head prefigured the future, for God would glorify His servant’s sacred memory and relics, and sanctify the faithful by his intercessions.

The holy man then uttered other prophecies. He also exhorted and admonished those present that they should keep the commandments of the Lord, but he mostly emphasized that they ought to preserve love for God and neighbor.

The Saint’s Repose

Then, on the 12th day of December, in the year 348 A.D., Saint Spyridon gave his soul into the hands of God. He was 78 years old. He bequeathed his sacred relics to the island of his birth, as a consolation for the faithful and as a fountain of healings. Upon his repose and up to present day his boldness before the Lord is even greater than when he was alive, as he has been shown to be a wellspring of miracles. The wonderworkings have not ceased.

The Miracles of Saint Spyridon

Let us examine closely, O blessed Christian, Saint Spyridon’s wondrous works; for they are indeed beneficial to the soul and its development. They enable us not only to avoid vice but also to advance in virtue, each being motivated to act according to his strength, striving to emulate their example. We beg all to give heed with contrition at the telling of these exceptional miracles.

In the days of old, the island of Kerkyra (known in modern times as Corfu, was stricken by a severe famine, and many necessities of life were lacking. On Holy and Great Saturday, the Saint appeared to the captain of certain nearby vessels and informed them of the serious need, and they brought wheat to the island. Therefore, the Holy Pascha was celebrated on the previously afflicted island with great splendor and joy with the provisions bestowed by the Saint.

The number of splendid processions held is also notable. They celebrate events in which the Saint saved the people. The most elegant and lengthy of all processions is the one that circles the entire city once. It is conducted on Palm Sunday on the occasion of the epidemic which struck in 1630. Another procession is also scheduled for the first Sunday in November, and was instituted in 1673, by the Venetians, due to a plague that swept the island that year. Another important procession is held on the 11th of August, in memory of the liberation of the island from the Turkish invasion in 1716.

Up until the year 1605, during processions, the holy relics were completely uncovered, borne in the arms of a single priest. This practice, however, was considered improper. Therefore, a silver reliquary was constructed in Venice, gilded and partially covered with crystal and the Saint’s holy relics placed in it. The case itself was then set within a larger silver reliquary. During the processions, which are conducted with great splendor, the reliquary is borne about by the priest. The magnificent order of the processions lasted into the period of French and English rule and until Kerkyra was united with Greece. [Resources: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]

_________
"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