St. Spyridon the Wonderworker

The Icon

Feast Day - December 12

St. Spiridon, one of the early Church’s most prominent bishops was also one of the humblest men to ascend the Episcopal Throne. He was born on the Island of Cyprus in the 3rd century in a village so remote, it had no schools. It did have a church and Spiridon loved to attend. His parish priest sensed his special calling and arranged for him to be sent away for formal education. He was a married priest but soon after his wife’s death, he was named Bishop of Tremithus. He developed the reputation for being a healer and wonderworker. He was a participant in the First Ecumenical Council in Nicea in 325, where his simple, concise explanations of the Church’s doctrine caused Arius and his heretical followers to be defeated in their claim that Christ was a "creation" of the Father.

Troparion in tone 4

You appeared to your flock as a rule of faith,
An image of humility and a teacher of abstinence.
Because of your lowliness, heaven was opened to you,
Because of your poverty, riches were granted to you.
O holy bishop Spyridon, pray to Christ our God to save our souls.

Troparion in tone 1

You were revealed as a champion of the first council,
And as a wonderworker O God-inspired Spyridon, our Father.
Wherefore you spoke to one who was dead in a tomb,
And you changed a serpent into gold.
And when chanting your prayers, O holy one, angels were your concelebrants.
Glory to Him who glorified you!
Glory to Him who granted you a crown!
Glory to Him who through you grants healing to all!

Kontakion in tone 2

Inspired by the love of Christ, O all-holy Spyridon,
You flew on wings of the Spirit to pure contemplation!
Thus you became an Altar of sacrifice in your Apostolic life,
Beseeching the Lord that He may enlighten us all!

For information concerning the life of St. Spyridon the Wonderworker please click here