Icon of Saint Spyridon of Trimifunt: history, meanings, what it helps with and how to pray

St. Spiridon Trimifuntsky

Spyridon
(c. 270 - c. 348), Bishop of Trimifuntsky, Saint Commemorated on December 12, on the Week of Vai in memory of the miracle of saving Corfu from the plague in 1629 (Greek [1]), on Holy Saturday in memory of the miracle of saving Corfu from the plague catastrophic grain crop failure in 1533 (Greek [2]), on August 11 in memory of the miracle of the deliverance of the island of Corfu from the Turkish invasion in 1716 (Greek [3]), in the 1st week of November in memory of the miracle of the secondary salvation of Corfu from the plague in 1673 (Greek [4]), November 12 in memory of the salvation from the desecration of the Church of St. by the Latins. Spyridon in Corfu in 1718 (Greek [5]) and in the Council of Cyprus Saints (Greek [6])

Born around 270 [7] on the island of Cyprus.
Little information has been preserved about his life. It is known that he was a shepherd and had a wife and children. He gave all his funds to the needs of his neighbors and strangers, for this the Lord rewarded him with the gift of miracles: he healed the terminally ill and cast out demons. After the death of his wife, during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great (306-337), he was elected bishop of the city of Trimifunt. In the rank of bishop, the saint did not change his way of life, combining pastoral service with works of mercy. According to church historians, Saint Spyridon in 325 took part in the actions of the First Ecumenical Council. At the Council, the saint entered into a competition with a Greek philosopher who defended the Aryan heresy. The simple speech of Saint Spyridon showed everyone’s weakness. human wisdom before the Wisdom of God: “Listen, philosopher, to what I will tell you: we believe that Almighty God out of nothing created heaven, earth, man and the entire visible and invisible world with His Word and Spirit.
This Word is the Son of God, Who came down to earth for the sake of our sins, was born of the Virgin, lived with people, suffered, died for our salvation and then rose again, atoning for original sin with His suffering, and resurrected the human race with Himself. We believe that He is Consubstantial and Equal in Honor with the Father, and we believe this without any crafty inventions, for it is impossible to comprehend this mystery with the human mind .

St. Spiridon Trimifuntsky

As a result of the conversation, the opponent of Christianity became its zealous defender and received holy baptism.
After a conversation with Saint Spyridon, turning to his friends, the philosopher said: “Listen! While the competition with me was carried out through evidence, I set up others against some evidence and, with my art of arguing, reflected everything that was presented to me. But when, instead of proof from reason, some special power began to emanate from the mouth of this old man, evidence became powerless against it, since a person cannot resist God. If any of you can think the same way as I do, then let him believe in Christ and, together with me, follow this old man, through whose mouth God Himself spoke.”

At the same Council, Saint Spyridon presented against the Arians a clear proof of the Unity in the Holy Trinity. He took a brick in his hands and squeezed it: fire instantly came out of it, water flowed down, and the clay remained in the hands of the miracle worker. “These are three elements, but the plinth (brick) is one,

- Saint Spyridon said then, “
so in the Most Holy Trinity there are Three Persons, but the Divinity is One
.

The saint took care of his flock with great love. Through his prayer, the drought was replaced by abundant life-giving rain, and continuous rains by bucketfuls, the sick were healed, and demons were cast out.

One day a woman came to him with a dead child in her arms, asking for the saint’s intercession. After praying, he brought the baby back to life. The mother, shocked by joy, fell lifeless. But the prayer of the saint of God restored life to the mother.

St. Spiridona Trimifuntsky. Icon at the entrance to the Church of St. Spyridon in Kerkyra (Corfu, Greece)

Once, rushing to save his friend, slandered and sentenced to death, the saint was stopped on his way by a stream that unexpectedly overflowed from a flood. The saint ordered the stream: “Stand up!”
This is what the Lord of the whole world commands you, so that I can cross and the husband for whose sake I am in a hurry may be saved . The will of the saint was fulfilled. and he safely crossed to the other side. The judge, warned about the miracle that had occurred, met Saint Spyridon with honor and released his friend.

Such a case is also known from the life of the saint. One day he entered an empty church, ordered the lamps and candles to be lit, and began the Divine Service. Having proclaimed: “Peace to all,” he and the deacon heard in response from above a great multitude of voices shouting: “And to your spirit.” This choir was great and sweeter than any human singing. At each litany, an invisible choir sang: “Lord, have mercy.” Attracted by the singing coming from the church, people nearby hurried to her. As they approached the church, wonderful singing filled their ears more and more and delighted their hearts. But when they entered the church, they saw no one except the bishop with a few church servants, and they no longer heard heavenly singing. from which they came to great amazement.

Saint Simeon Metaphrastus, a description of his life. likened Saint Spyridon to Patriarch Abraham in the virtue of hospitality. “You also need to know how he received strangers,” wrote Sozomen, who was close to monastic circles, citing in his “Church History” an amazing example from the life of the saint. One day, after the approach of Lent, a wanderer knocked on his house. Seeing that the traveler was very tired, Saint Spyridon said to his daughter: “Wash this man’s feet and offer him something to eat.” But due to fasting, the necessary supplies were not made, for the saint “ate food only on a certain day, and on others he remained without food.” Therefore, the daughter replied that there was no bread or flour in the house. Then Saint Spyridon, apologizing to the guest, ordered his daughter to fry the salted pork meat that was in stock and, having seated the wanderer at the table, began to eat, “convincing that man to imitate himself. When the latter, calling himself a Christian, refused, he added: “It is all the less necessary to refuse, for the Word of God has spoken: All things are pure” (Titus 1:15).”

St. Spiridon in his life. Icon

Another story, reported by Sozomen, is also very characteristic of the saint: the saint had the custom of distributing one part of the harvest to the poor, and giving the other part to the needy as a loan.
He himself did not personally give anything, but simply showed the entrance to the storeroom, where everyone could take as much as they needed and then return it in the same way, without checking or reporting. There is also a well-known story by Socrates Scholasticus about how thieves decided to steal the sheep of Saint Spyridon. In the dead of night they climbed into the sheepfold, but immediately found themselves tied by an invisible force. When morning came, the saint came to the herd and, seeing the bound robbers, prayed, untied them and for a long time persuaded them to leave their lawless path and earn food by honest labor. Then, giving them a sheep each and sending them away, he said kindly: “Let it not be in vain that you kept watch.”

Saint Spyridon is often compared to the prophet Elijah, for also through his prayer, during droughts that often threatened the island of Cyprus, it rained: “We see the equal of the angel Spyridon, the great wonderworker. The country once suffered greatly from lack of rain and drought: there was famine and pestilence, and many people died, but through the prayers of the saint rain came from heaven to earth: the people, having been delivered from the disaster , gratefully crying out: Rejoice, thou art like the great prophet and the rain that takes away famine and ailments, thou hast sent down in good time.”

The entire life of Saint Spyridon amazes with its amazing simplicity and power of miracles. given to him by the Lord. According to the word of the saint, the dead were awakened, the elements were tamed, and idols were crushed. When the Patriarch convened a Council in Alexandria for the sake of crushing idols and temples, through the prayers of the fathers of the Council, all the idols fell, except one, the most revered. It was revealed to the Patriarch in a vision that this idol remained in order to be crushed by Saint Spyridon of Trimythous. Summoned by the Council, the saint boarded the ship, and at the moment when the ship landed on the shore and the saint set foot on land, the idol in Alexandria with all the altars was thrown into dust, which announced to the patriarch and all the bishops about the approach of St. Spyridon.

Saint Spyridon lived his earthly life in righteousness and holiness and in prayer gave up his soul to the Lord (c. 348).

Relics of St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky. Church of St. Spyridon in Kerkyra (Corfu, Greece)

Meaning of the image

Orthodox people have long venerated the holy face of the blessed wonderworker. During his earthly life, Spyridon favored the poor, the sick and the needy. And to this day he helps those who pray to him, including healthy, wealthy Christians.

Icon of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky

He was always sincere in prayer and righteous in deeds.

Prayer Requests

Most often, before the holy face of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky, people ask for resolution of problems:

in case of job loss and layoff;
on resolving material problems;
about finding a decent income;
on timely repayment of debts;
about purchasing your own home;
on preventing sudden loss of livestock in peasant villages;
about preserving the harvest;
during litigation;
in healing from illnesses;
to resolve family problems;
to prevent cruelty between loved ones;
for business success;
when oppressed by enemies;
for guidance in making important and fateful decisions.

Important! It is necessary to understand that the saints and their Faces do not “specialize” in fulfilling petitions in any particular areas. Appeal to heavenly intercessors should occur with faith in the Power of the Heavenly Father, and not by the power of a separate icon or prayer

Prayer Tips

Only pure and honest thoughts should be present in prayer, the appeal should be selfless and pious.

When a prayer book asks for something, you must thank God for absolutely everything. For grief and joy, wealth and poverty. With the Lord everything is providential and according to merit.

Attention! Prayer requests to the Higher Powers must be carried out with a pure heart, selflessly and piously

But it is important to know that the request may not be fulfilled as quickly as the prayer book wishes. Perhaps you will have to wait for its execution not a year or two, or even more

In this case, it is important not to lose faith, because faith and patience can move mountains!

Perhaps you will have to wait for its execution not a year or two, or even more

In this case, it is important not to lose faith, because faith and patience can move mountains! But it is important to know that the request may not be fulfilled as quickly as the prayer book wishes.

Perhaps you will have to wait for its execution not a year or two, or even more. In this case, it is important not to lose faith, because faith and patience can move mountains!

But it is important to know that the request may not be fulfilled as quickly as the prayer book wishes. Perhaps you will have to wait for its execution not a year or two, or even more

In this case, it is important not to lose faith, because faith and patience can move mountains!

The veneration of the icon takes place annually on December 25th. It is this day that falls on the date of the winter solstice, from which the sunny day begins to arrive. Since the times of ancient Rus', this day has been called “Spiridon’s turn.”

Watch the video about Spiridon Trimifuntsky

What to pray for

They have resorted to the help and intercession of Saint Spyridon from ancient times to the present day to increase the level of well-being: in difficult financial situations, hunger, deprivation of housing, crop failure; and also for healing from illnesses. The great miracle worker refuses to support anyone. Here are some examples.

Health and healing

The modern family lived in a sanctified marriage for more than 9 years, but there were no children. The medical examination did not reveal any pathology. Visits to temples and herbalists did not yield results. The couple made a pilgrimage to Mount Athos. Unsuccessfully. Then they took a vacation and went to the island of Corfu. They began every day by visiting the temple of St. Spyridon of Trimythous, prayed there and soon learned about the happy event.

Solving material problems

The family, in which three children grew up, lived in a communal apartment for many years. They could not improve their living conditions by purchasing square meters. When a room became available in their apartment, they wrote an application to expand their living space and immediately went to the temple. The whole family, including children, prayed in front of the icon of St. Spyridon and after some time received a notice to receive not a room, but a new apartment. When they arrived in surprise to get the documents, the employees began to find out with interest what kind of patron they had turned up “at the top.”

In case of crop failure

The elderly woman, having retired, had no other financial support. The vegetables harvested at her summer cottage played a serious role in her life. When the rains began to rain, threatening to destroy all her work, she turned to Saint Spyridon with prayer. In the morning the clouds cleared, the sun came out, and the huge puddles between the beds disappeared in a few hours.

In difficult life circumstances

The head of the family lost his job, and gradually there was nothing left of his savings. In despair, he remembered that in case of material difficulties he should pray to Saint Spyridon. I read the akathist at night, and a day later I received my first order. And then several more customers responded to his requests. The family got out of the crisis situation.

When making important decisions

The ex-husband and wife separated peacefully, the husband regularly paid child support. But a few years later, after quitting his job, he decided to start his own business and asked his ex-wife to relieve him of his debt for a while. The woman thought about what to do and turned to the saint for help. Having prayed to Saint Spyridon, she started looking for a job for herself, and she succeeded on the first try. And a few months later she began to receive good money from a successful entrepreneur.

Solving legal problems

A family with two children decided to buy an apartment using a Youth Loan. Only while the paperwork was being processed slowly, the age of the head of the family was approaching 36 years, which limited participation in the project. The couple began to pray to Saint Spyridon, and when they arrived at the local church, they immediately saw an icon of the saint in the shop. Having purchased it, they continued their plea until their documents were approved by the commission. Now they already have their own apartment.

Prayer 2**

Oh, great and wonderful saint of Christ and wonderworker Spyridon, Kerkyra praise, the whole universe, bright lamp, warm to God, prayer book and to all who come running to you and pray with faith Hey, quick intercessor! You gloriously explained the Orthodox faith at the Council of Nicaea among the Fathers, you showed the trinity of the Holy Trinity with miraculous power and you completely put the heretics to shame. Hear us sinners, the saint of Christ, praying to you, and by your strong intercession with the Lord, deliver us from every evil situation: from famine, flood, fire and deadly plagues. In your time of life you delivered your people from all these disasters: you saved your country from the invasion of the Hagarians and from famine, you saved the king from an incurable illness and saved many You brought sinners to repentance, you gloriously raised the dead, and for the holiness of your life there were angels , invisibly in the church singing and serving with you, you had. Therefore, Lord Christ, glorify you, your faithful servant, for all the secret human deeds have been granted to you to understand and to expose those who live unrighteously. You diligently helped many who lived in poverty and lack, you nourished the poor people abundantly during the famine, and you also fed many signs with the power of the living Spirit of God in you. You created life. Do not forsake us either, Saint of Christ, remember us, your children, at the Throne of the Almighty and beg the Lord to grant forgiveness to our many sins, a comfortable and peaceful life. m, the death of the belly is not shameful and peaceful, and eternal bliss in the future He vouchsafes us, so that we may send glory and thanksgiving to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Translation: Oh, great and wonderful saint of Christ and wonderworker Spyridon, praise to Kerkyra, a bright lamp to the whole universe, an ardent prayer book to God and to all who come running to you and pray with faith, an intercessor who quickly comes to the rescue! You gloriously explained the Orthodox faith at the Council of Nicea among the fathers, you showed the unity of the Holy Trinity with miraculous power and completely shamed the heretics. Hear us sinners, O Saint of Christ, praying to you, and by your strong intercession before the Lord, deliver us from every grave misfortune: from famine, flood, fire and deadly plague. For in your temporary life you delivered your people from all these disasters: you saved your country from the invasion of the Hagarians and from famine, you delivered the king from an incurable illness and brought many sinners to repentance, you gloriously raised the dead, and for the holiness of your life there were angels singing invisibly in the church had his fellow servants. Thus the Lord Christ glorified you, His faithful servant, for He granted you the gift of seeing all the secret human deeds and convicting those who live unrighteously. You diligently helped many living in poverty and need, you abundantly fed poor people during hunger, and you created many other signs by the power of the living Spirit of God in you. So do not leave us, saint of Christ, remember us, your children, at the Throne of the Almighty and beg the Lord to grant forgiveness of many of our sins, grant us a comfortable and peaceful life, and grant us a shameless and peaceful death and eternal bliss in the next century us, so that we continually send glory and thanksgiving to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Spyridon of Trimifuntsky the Wonderworker - assistant and advisor in all matters

In the Church of the Resurrection of the Word on the Assumption Gully, located in Bryusovsky Lane in the Danilovskaya Sloboda area, there is not one, but two icons of the saint. In addition, there is also a particle of his relics.

One of the icons known for its miraculous properties is located on the right side of the altar, deep inside the church. The reason that makes us single out this particular image of the saint from many others is that it, in a sense, consists of several parts.

The icon itself is located in the center of another larger image. On both sides of the iconostasis are parts of the relics of several other saints. They say that the composite nature of the image determines its greatest power and strength.

Source

The image of the saint, who lived so far from our country, has been loved and revered in our country for a long time. A big role in this is played by the fact that it was created as if specifically to help sick, poor, needy (in different senses) people.

Speaking about the meaning of the icon of St. Spiridon, I’m tempted to use a verbal cliché: it’s hard to overestimate it. It gives us confidence that the saint is always nearby, he knows all our troubles and needs, and if we humbly ask for deliverance from them, he bestows his help.

We advise you to study the Icon of the Mother of God of Svenskaya (Pecherskaya)

Temple on Spiridonovka

Once upon a time there was a temple on the corner of what is now Spiridonyevsky Lane, house 24/1. It was known in Moscow as the Church of St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky on the Goat Swamp. The temple on this site has been known since the 17th century. The goat swamp was an outskirts area, a place far from the noise of the city and the domain of Patriarch Filaret, where the church was built. Here, another Patriarch Joachim ordered to dig ponds, one of which has survived to this day. At first the church was wooden, but it was soon rebuilt. Initially, only one part of the church was dedicated to Saint Spyridon of Trimythous. According to sources, the temple was built hastily and consecrated in 1633, therefore in all documents it was listed as the temple of Spyridon the Wonderworker in the patriarchal settlement. The altar of the church, according to which the church was officially called “Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary” in documents, was completed three years later, in 1636. The temple was completed, burned, rebuilt, but the Spiridonovsky limit was preserved in it. And when in 1812 the church was seriously damaged at the hands of the French and was rebuilt, the parishioners and the rector asked for permission to reconsecrate the (main and warm, that is, heated) area of Peter and Paul in honor of Spyridon of Trimythous. Then the church received the name that it bears to this day. In 1930, the temple was dismantled, architect P.D. Baranovsky barely had time to take its measurements. In its place, the building of the Teplobeton trust was erected. But the memory of the only temple in Moscow in honor of St. Spyridon the Wonderworker that once stood here remains in the name of the street. Until 1941 it was called Spiridonyevskaya, later Alexei Tolstov Street, in memory of the writer who lived here for many years. In 1994, the street was renamed Spiridonovka.

Troparion, voice 1*

Audio:

At the First Council, you appeared as a champion and wonderworker, / God-bearing Spyridon, our father. / Moreover, you cried out to the dead in the tomb, / and you turned the serpent into gold, / and you will never sing You had holy prayers/ You had the angels co-serving with you, Most Holy One./ Glory to Him who gave you strength,/ glory to Him who crowned you,/ glory to Him who brings healing to all through you.

Translation: At the first council, you appeared as a defender of the truth and a miracle worker, God-bearing Spyridon, our father. That is why you turned to the dead in the grave, and turned the snake into gold, and while singing holy prayers, the Angels served you, most sacred one! Glory to Him who glorified you, glory to Him who crowned you, glory to Him who brings healing to all through you!

Prayer to Spyridon of Trimifuntsky for money and well-being

Of course, the Orthodox Church calls on parishioners to take care first of all of their souls. We must pray to the Lord for this every day. But in these works it is impossible to forget about our daily bread. Each of us lives in a world where money is needed. Therefore, anyone can face a situation where financial problems lead to complete collapse. What to do in this case? Which saint should I contact?

Many people don’t even know that in Orthodoxy there are special prayers for well-being. Below we present a prayer to Spyridon of Trimifuntsky for money and well-being. However, you need to ask for finance only with a pure heart and without self-interest. Remember that during his lifetime the elder provided people with financial assistance in the amount that they really needed.

How to ask for help from the relics of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky or from his icon? This question worries many believers, because every conversion must be correct. Church ministers advise praying in front of the image in the evening, and you should ask every day until the financial problem is resolved.

If you are lucky enough to be in Kerkyra, in the temple of St. Spyridon, then be sure to touch the relics and mentally voice your request. There is a lot of evidence on the Internet of how the elder helped people get out of seemingly hopeless situations with the least possible losses. Many stories seem to be real miracles, which Spyridon of Trimifuntsky is very generous with.

Family

Vladyka, being a shepherd, met and fell in love with a modest girl. Soon they got married and had a daughter, Irina. The happy father himself performed the baptism ceremony for the baby. However, the priest's prosperous family life did not last long. He lost his young wife, and subsequently his daughter, who died at a flourishing age while he was at a meeting of the episcopate in Nicaea.

Saint Spyridon resurrects his daughter

Irina was not married, throughout her short life she looked after her father, helped him in business, and was distinguished by her kindness and piety. Therefore, one high-born lady entrusted her with the storage of her gold jewelry. After the sudden death of the girl, the owner came to return him. But the father could not find someone else’s valuable thing. Then he revived his dead daughter and found out where she hid the jewelry.

ICON OF SPYRIDON OF TRIMYPHUNS - HELP OF THE SAINT IN FINANCE AND MATERIAL DIFFICULTIES

Saint Spyridon is the second miracle worker after Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra. In Greece, he is revered as one of the country's patrons. After many years of oblivion during the godless years of the twentieth century, people again pray to St. Spyridon, and over the past decades, evidence of his miracles has multiplied.

Today Saint Spyridon is truly a modern saint. Nowadays, he has become famous for his great help to those in need of their housing, those who lack money, those looking for work, and those burdened with loans.

This is interesting: Icon of the holy righteous Simeon of Verkhoturye: we analyze all the nuances

Sources

Lives of the Saints, in Russian, set out according to the guidance of the menaion of St. Demetrius of Rostov. Book four. Published by the Moscow Synodal Printing House. Moscow. 1906. - Reprint: Publication of Vvedenskaya Optina Pustyn. 1993. pp. 330-350 ISBN 5-86594-001-5
Saint Spyridon of Trimythous, Cypriot wonderworker, hagiographic sources of the 4th-10th centuries. Publication, translation from ancient Greek, preface and comments by A. Yu. Vinogradov; scientific edition by D. A. Pospelov. - M.: Holy Mount Athos: Hermitage New Thebaid of the Athos Russian Panteleimon Monastery. 2009
Saint Spyridon of Trimifuntsky / Comp. M. V. Stroganova. - M.: Mlagovest, 2011. - 192 pp., 1500 copies, ISBN 978-5-9968-0139-8
[days.pravoslavie.ru/Life/life6855.htm Lives of St. Spyridon of Trimifunt I]
[days.pravoslavie.ru/Life/life3106.htm Lives of St. Spyridon of Trimifunt II]

Where are the relics?

Every year, the relics of Spiridon are brought to different territories, including Russian ones. In Moscow, the relics of the saint are kept in the Church of the Assumption in Vrazhka and in a complex in the Koptevo area. The new cathedral in the north of Moscow will be built by May 2021. This will be one of the largest Orthodox buildings.

Now the construction is ending, the construction of the bell tower is being completed. The complex will be completely completed by 2021, but lay people will be able to visit the temple in May. The relics will already be brought there and the Russians will not have to travel to Corfu. The miracle worker saint will be a permanent “resident” of Moscow. The priests do not rule out that, as in Greece, he will walk along the capital's streets, preaching divine truths.

Every year the saint blesses a million Russians: he helps someone with money (people find work), women pray for family happiness and peace, children find intercession in illness and adversity. An icon of divine significance instills strength in believers and helps them find peace of mind.

Another place of the monastery of the holy wonderworker is the Danilovsky Monastery, information about which can be found on the official website of the complex. In 2007, the opening of the grave of Spyridon’s compatriot Nikephoros coincided with the presence of the relics of the Greek saint in the capital.

Often his relics are brought to St. Petersburg, and then a huge line forms to see the saint. People are ready to stand on the street for days in order to venerate the relics of the saint about whose help there are millions of reviews. Most often, the relics are brought in the fall, as well as on the saint’s day of remembrance - at the end of December. Residents of Russian regions are less likely to venerate the saint in person.

But modern technology and powerful prayer are not limited by distance. Spiridon hears forgiveness and prayers of gratitude from any part of the planet. It is customary to pray to him with three strong prayers dedicated to the saint.

Notes

Trimifunt is a city in Cyprus where St. served. Spiridon, currently the village of Tremefusya. Salamis is the former capital of Cyprus, previously the city was called Constantiana and had the leading see on the island; Apparently, the definition of “Salamin” in relation to St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky is erroneous.
[www.ic-xc-nika.ru/texts/jitiya/spirid_trimif/frame_content.html Life of our holy father Spyridon of Trimifuntsky]
[www.krotov.info/lib_sec/02_b/bug/aevsky.htm A. V. Bugaevsky. Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Trimifuntsky]
[simvol-veri.ru/xp/gde-jivet-svyatitel-spiridon.html “Symbol of Faith.” — Where does Saint Spyridon live]
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[ugyalta.com/gazeta/456/1356672047/ On December 25, on the day of memory of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky, a statue of the saint was installed and consecrated on the territory of the Respect Hall hotel in Koreiz]
[www.savvastor.ru/news/62.html Savvino-Storozhevskaya monastery has found another shrine] (2014-06-2013).

Life of the saint

In the Byzantine tradition, the hagiographer of the saint was Simeon Metaphrastus, the compiler of a whole corpus of lives of Byzantine saints; in Russian - St. Dimitry Rostovsky.

According to the life of the saint, he was born into a simple family on the island of Cyprus at the end of the third century. His family was not rich; Spiridon helped his parents from childhood by tending sheep. His type of righteousness was close to that of the Old Testament; he tried to be like the simple-minded shepherds of the Old Testament, “imitating David in meekness, Jacob in simplicity of heart, and Abraham in love for strangers.”

St. Spyridon of TrimifuntskySchool or art. center: St. Petersburg Beginning of the 19th century. Oil on canvas, wood. 166 × 71.8 cm State Museum of the History of Religion, St. Petersburg, Russia See. in the "Gallery": Spyridon of Trimifuntsky, bishop († c. 348)

Little is known about the early years of the saint. He married a kind, pious woman, who soon died, leaving him a daughter, Irina.

After the death of his wife, during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great (306 - 337), he was consecrated (ordained) bishop of the city of Trimifunt (Tremetusia), on the island of Crete. While in the rank of bishop, he remained an ascetic, living very modestly, combining devotion to the Lord and merciful deeds. The first miracle described in the Russian hagiography of the saint, performed through the prayer of St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky, was also akin to the Old Testament.

In the city where the saint lived there was a terrible drought, St. Spyridon took pity on the poor peasants, whose lives directly depended on the harvest, and prayed to the Lord for them. Through the saint’s prayer, the rain fell with such force that it saturated the earth for a long time. A rich harvest saved people from hunger. The miracle was remembered by the people. St. Demetrius of Rostov compares the prayer of the Saint with the prayer of the Prophet Elijah, who also had the power to cause rain, “locking or opening the heavens.”

St. Spyridon of Trimifunt was also endowed with a special gift of providence of souls; human thoughts were revealed to him. A certain woman, who was in fornication, wanted to wash the saint’s feet, thus repeating the acts of St. Mary Magdalene, who washed the Savior’s feet. But there was no repentance in her heart. St. Spyridon meekly told the woman what was going on in her soul and exposed the passion for fornication. Since then, she has completely changed and brought repentance.

The ascetic activity of Saint Spyridon of Trimythous is well known. The time of his episcopal service coincided with the flourishing of Christian communities; Emperor Constantine made Christianity the official religion of Constantinople and all of Byzantium. In the fight against the anti-Trinitarian heresy of Arius, the formation of dogmatics took place. Arius was an influential bishop; he taught his flock that Christ does not have the same nature with God the Father, but was created by Him.

The Russian hagiographer writes about the participation of St. Spyridon at the First Ecumenical Council, in the city of Nicaea, and about the dispute that the “unlearned” saint, led by divine grace, won over the philosophizing heretics.

We advise you to study the Psalter of the Prophet David. experience of translating into Russian

Wanting to clearly demonstrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky took out a burnt brick, showed it to those present, and then squeezed it in his hand, flames shot up from the brick and water spilled. The saint still had clay in his hand. “Behold, there are three elements, but the plinth (brick) is one,” said St. Spyridon then, “so in the Most Holy Trinity there are Three Persons, but the Divinity is One.”

He joined the Council Fathers, who professed the dogma of the uncreatedness of Christ, the Son of God.

There are known cases when St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky raised the dead. He brought back to life his daughter Irina and the dead child of a pagan woman, who later converted to Christianity.

St. Demetrius of Rostov writes:

The saint not only helped people, but exposed the evil in them, punishing them for sins, he gradually led a person through the three degrees of human service to the Lord. The first is the worship of a slave who serves the Lord out of fear, the second is the service of a hireling for a reward; the third is the ministry of the son, who serves God out of love.

Some biographical facts

Saint Spyridon was born in Cyprus in 270. Accustomed to labor from childhood, he did not disdain physical work until the end of his life. In his parents' house, his responsibilities included caring for domestic animals, but even after becoming a high clergyman, he continued to shepherd flocks of sheep. In his youth, Spiridon was married and, remaining a widower, raised and raised his daughter Irina.

A deeply religious and God-fearing man, Spiridon strove to live in meekness, cordiality, and love for people. In his house, the homeless received shelter, the hungry received food, and the mourners received comfort. The Lord endowed him with the gift of clairvoyance, the ability to heal and revive people, and influence the weather.

While Constantine the Great and his heir were in power (mid-4th century), the monk was elected Bishop of Trimythuntus, and therefore was called Spyridon of Trimythuntus. For many years he remained a loving but strict father to his flock.

Many miraculous deeds are recorded in the life of Saint Spyridon:

with his prayer he brought rain in a dry year and saved the people of Cyprus from hunger;
hastening to help a prisoner unjustly sentenced to death, he crossed the river like dry land;
brought back to life the dead girl, and then the mother who died of joy.

But, sympathizing with all those in trouble, the Monk Spyridon remained strict and adamant with violators of God's laws. And it doesn’t matter whether it was a simple fraudulent grain merchant or a clergyman distorting the meaning of the Holy Scriptures.

How to properly pray to Saint Spyridon of Trimythous

Most often, by the term “correct prayer,” most people assume some external action or ritual: reading a certain text, lighting candles, having Christian paraphernalia.

Prayer

Of course, in the life of an Orthodox Christian one cannot do without external manifestations of faith, but in the matter of turning to God, nevertheless, the inner mood of a person’s soul comes first.

Correct prayer is an appeal from the depths of the soul, from the heart. It is impossible without faith in God, without trust in His will. It often happens that people pray as if they were making a certain wish - here, Lord, grant me this and that, and I don’t need anything else from You. Such a request will never be heard, much less fulfilled.

You need to start with the correct “tuning” of your soul, and it consists of repentance and the desire to change your life according to the Christian worldview.

And at this stage, the help of saints is invaluable: having once been ordinary mortal people, they learned for themselves what it is to struggle with their passions and sins. And a person who sincerely wants to change his life will always receive spiritual support from heavenly intercessors.

Of course, spiritual life does not at all imply a complete renunciation of material wealth. So, you can pray to Spyridon of Trimythous for work in cases where problems arise.

Saint Spyridon of Trimifuntsky

But it is necessary to strictly ensure that a person does not ask for anything unclean - the saint will never help with dishonest earnings, bribes, bribes and other frauds for the sake of enrichment. But if a person is looking for the opportunity to work honestly in order to feed his family and loved ones, then he can safely rely on God’s help.

As for the form, you can use ready-made texts from the prayer book, or you can use your own words.

The finished text may seem complex and incomprehensible to a beginner who is just beginning to comprehend the basics of the Christian faith

In this case, it will be difficult for the person to maintain attention on the words and he will be distracted. It’s better to ask in your own words, as your heart tells you. You can contact the righteous both in church and at home

In general, for a believer there is not a single place where he could not turn to God - in transport, on the way to work, in line - everywhere you can mentally pray. Of course, in order not to embarrass strangers who may be non-believers, it is better to do this quietly and unnoticed. But you shouldn’t forget the way to the temple - the Christian faith does not exist without divine services and participation in church Sacraments

You can turn to the righteous both in the temple and at home. In general, for a believer there is not a single place where he could not turn to God - in transport, on the way to work, in line - everywhere you can mentally pray. Of course, in order not to embarrass strangers who may be non-believers, it is better to do this quietly and unnoticed. But you shouldn’t forget the way to the temple - the Christian faith does not exist without divine services and participation in church Sacraments.

Therefore, when starting a personal prayer to Spyridon of Trimifuntsky, it is very good to attend a service beforehand and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ after appropriate preparation.

Prayer

Only in this way, by comprehensively changing our entire inner life, can we expect that our petitions will be heard by the Lord. And then a huge host of Orthodox saints will come to our aid, who are our first helpers and comforters on the difficult path of spiritual life.

Prayer to Spyridon of Trimifuntsky about work

Lifetime miracles

The sincere prayer of Saint Spyridon was repeatedly noted by the Savior. A documented case was recorded when, during a service in an empty church, Saint Spyridon was helped by a choir of Angels. Parishioners who happened to come into the church at that time heard the singing of “Lord, have mercy” coming out of nowhere during the service.

During another service, one of the lamps ran out of oil and had to go out. But suddenly the flame flared up with renewed vigor: the lamp miraculously filled to the brim with fragrant oil. Rushing to the aid of his parishioners, saving their souls, Saint Spyridon was not blind, he saw and exposed their vices, called for repentance and correction. One day the saint went to serve in a village that was 30 miles from his city.

Exhausted by the long journey and the heat, the elder asked the local clergyman not to delay the service. But the ambitious cleric, thirsting for power and glory, began to perform prayers deliberately slowly. “Shut up!” - the miracle worker shouted, and the deacon lost his voice. Saint Spyridon himself completed the service, forgave the proud man and restored his ability to speak.

There is a known case when a cattle dealer came to Saint Spyridon and, seeing a weak old man in front of him, decided to deceive him. Having laid out money for 99 goats on the table, he tried to take 100 with him. The Monk Spyridon, without recalculating the amount left, learned the truth.

The hundredth goat refused to leave the herd. And when the sly man threw her on his shoulders, she butted him thoroughly with her horns. Spiridon ordered the merchant to return to the house, count the money and correct the mistake. The ashamed man paid the difference, and the goat itself ran after him.

Youth and young years

Never allowing himself to grumble about being tired, over time Spiridon became a responsible and hardworking young man who reached out to God with all his heart and thoughts.

His mother made a great contribution to her son’s religious education and the formation of his positive qualities, as she taught him the word of God from birth.

At a young age, the boy amazed those around him with his meekness, brilliant mind and desire for asceticism.

In behavior and attitude towards people, the young man imitated the biblical heroes, whom he looked up to until the last days of his life, therefore it is believed that in a house where there is an icon of Spyridon of Trimythous, meekness and mutual respect will reign.

Having taken a modest and God-obedient girl as his wife, the saint was happy in his marriage.

But the family happiness of the future bishop was not destined to last long: his wife died of a serious illness at a young age.

This loss was a strong blow to him, but once again demonstrating love and submission to God, Spiridon did not become depressed.

Immediately after his wife’s funeral, he went to travel and preach the word of God. Known as a wise man and close to the Lord, he was soon elected bishop of the town of Trimifunt. From that moment on, serious service to the Lord began on a new level.

Seeing in this man a faithful servant, God made him a teacher to us with many people and clergy. The parishioners of the temple in Trimifunt loved their priest and always unquestioningly followed his instructions.

Cows, sheep and a ton of chocolate

Saint Spyridon of Trimythous is the patron saint of the islands of Crete and Corfu. Therefore, it is quite natural that the name Spyridon, or Spiro, is very popular both in Corfu and in Greece in general. Spyridon Louis is known in world history and highly revered in Greece. The Olympic Stadium in Athens, built in 1982, and the boulevard leading to it are named after the Greek athlete Spyridon Louis. Sports runners' clubs, cafes, and sports bars are named after Spiridon Louis all over the world. Even the revolutionary model of sports shoes from the famous Italian company is called Spyridon LS.

In April 1896, thanks to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who proposed to revive the ancient Olympic Games, the First International Olympic Games (officially the Games of the First Olympics) were held in Athens. Among others, Spiridon Louis took part in them. A poor postman from the village of Marussi, so poor that even the whole village bought him sports shoes. He was one of seventeen athletes who took part in the 40-kilometer marathon. Spiridon Louis not only won and received a gold medal at the first Olympics. He set a world marathon record of two hours, fifty-eight minutes and fifty seconds, which was broken only twelve years later at the London Olympics.

Greece rejoiced. She rejoiced just as in 490 BC, when the Athenian warrior covered 42 kilometers from Marathon to Athens, so that with the words “Rejoice, Athenians, we have won!” proclaim victory over the Persian troops of King Darius. In addition to the medal, olive branch, and Olympic cup, the country's authorities presented the Olympic champion with numerous gifts. Twenty-five thousand francs, free food for a year, free tailoring and barber services for life, ten cows and thirty rams, a ton of chocolate and a barrel of wine. Twenty-three-year-old Spiridon Louis was happy. The wealth that fell upon him allowed him to propose to his beloved girl.

Spiridon Louis is also known as the actor who played himself in the film about the Olympic Games. In 1936, at the Olympic Games in Berlin, the national hero of Greece, Spyridon Louis, presented Hitler with a thin green olive branch from Olympia, a symbol of peace - as history has shown, a very fragile one.

In 2004, the XXVIII Summer Olympic Games were held in Athens. The day before, in 2000, a commemorative coin with a face value of 500 drachmas was released into circulation in Greece. The coin features a full-length depiction of Greece's national hero, Olympian Spyridon Louis.

Where can you come to pray to a saint in Russia?

Those who are interested in where the relics of Spyridon of Trimythous are located usually wonder if there are Orthodox churches in our country with particles of incorruptible relics? Many people believe that you only need to go to Corfu to worship the saint, but in fact there are other opportunities to ask the elder for help.

In the Church of the Resurrection of the Word in Moscow there are numerous shrines that believers do not always know about. For example, the Orthodox image of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost” is highly revered. This icon is considered miraculous and helps in the most hopeless situations.

Here, in the temple, there is a particle of the relics of Spyridon of Trimifunt, placed in the center of the image of the saint. The icon itself is also miraculous and has a very beautiful robe decorated with silver and gold. At the very center there is a small crayfish attached that can open. It contains that very piece of relics that is capable of working miracles through sincere prayer.

Parishioners of the Church of the Resurrection of the Word say that the saint can send help literally the next day after turning to Elder Spyridon. If you have a hopeless financial situation, then feel free to pray to Bishop Trimifuntsky. He definitely won’t leave you without support, which will come literally from nowhere. This is confirmed by numerous stories of believers.

Often modern entrepreneurs even call the saint the patron saint of business. However, only those who conduct their affairs honestly can count on help. The elder also provides support in property matters. If you are facing serious losses and you do not see a way out of this situation, then go to the temple and touch the relics of Spyridon. You will definitely preserve your property and avoid trouble. On Tuesdays, an akathist to the saint is read at church services, so it is on this day that the largest number of parishioners gather in the church.

Also in the Church of the Intercession of the Danilov Monastery there is a shoe taken from the saint’s foot during the annual change of clothes. This shrine is often presented as a gift to various monasteries and churches.

The importance of such a gift is difficult to overestimate, because not everyone can afford to go on a pilgrimage to the island of Corfu to personally touch the relics of Bishop Spyridon of Trimifuntsky

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Miraculous icon and cancer with relics

The face of the holy wonderworker rests on the iconostasis of every Orthodox church. Spiridon always responds to heartfelt prayer.

What can you pray to Saint Spyridon for:

Prayer for the fulfillment of what you want
Prayer for housing
Prayer for work

The relics of the saint are located on the Greek island of Corfu in a church consecrated in his honor. The right hand (right hand) of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky rests in Rome. Over the centuries, the saint's body remains incorruptible, his temperature is always 36.6 degrees. Through the glass of the shrine, the hair, skin and teeth of the saint are clearly visible. Scientists are still unable to explain the phenomenon of the incorruptibility of the saint’s body. The clergy periodically change the clothes and shoes in which the saint is dressed, because they often wear out.

Cancer with the relics of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky

There is a legend among the people that the great saint sometimes goes to travel around the world and helps those in need.

The sarcophagus is locked and open only for worship by Orthodox Christians. It is decorated with countless ornaments made of silver and gold, which is people’s gratitude for Spiridon’s miracles through their prayers.

In Moscow, in one of the churches of the Danilov Monastery, a shrine is kept - the saint’s shoe, brought from Corfu. From time to time, clerics notice that it wears out, as if the miracle worker wore it during his wanderings around the world.

The icon kept in the Moscow Church of the Resurrection of the Word is marked by miracles. In its center is depicted an ark carrying part of the holy relics of Spyridon. It happened that one day a temple servant was praying fervently before the face and suddenly saw the door of the relics open. The woman repeated her request again - the door closed and the request was soon fulfilled.

Life of Spiridon of Trimifuntsky

Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker of Trimifunt was born around 270 in the Cypriot city of Askia. It was a time of severe persecution of Christians.

Saint Spyridon was born into a poor family, so he did not receive an education. However, by nature he was modest, kind, charming and wise, for which those around him loved him very much. He got married early. He and his wife had a daughter, Irina, whom Saint Spyridon himself baptized and raised in the Christian faith. When his beloved wife died, Saint Spyridon gave his daughter to be raised by the church community and took monastic vows.

Wisdom, natural tact, humility and asceticism glorified Saint Spyridon among the inhabitants of Trimifunt. He is also known for miracles of healing and deep prayer at the request of believers. Therefore, when the local bishop died, Saint Spyridon, with general approval, was installed in his place.

As a bishop, Saint Spyridon was an example of virtue, purity of heart and modesty. He was a generous benefactor and never refused help to anyone who turned to him. And if a person asked for money, Spiridon said: “You will return it when you can.” They say that one peasant asked the saint for grain. He answered him, they say, take it from the barn. To which the peasant exclaimed: “Won’t you go and see, what if I take away more than I ask?” “You will not take away more than you need, but you will return as much as you can,” Spyridon of Trimifuntsky answered him.

In 325, in Nicaea, by order of Emperor Constantine, the First Ecumenical Council was held, which brought together bishops from Asia, Africa and Europe. Together with Saint Nicholas of Myra, Saint Spyridon was also present at the council. In particular, he entered into a dispute with one of the philosophers invited by the emperor and who went over to the side of the heretic Arius. As life says, the saint did not try to prove anything to the skilled sophist and disarmed him with a fiery confession of faith. Saint Spyridon said: “There is only one God! He, having created heaven and earth, and from the earth man, created everything visible and invisible by the Word and the Holy Spirit. The Son of God is the Word whom we worship and believe that Christ, for the sake of our salvation, was born of the Virgin. He is of one essence with the Father and has equal power and dignity with Him. Therefore, They should be honored equally. The Son of God, by the cross and death, freed us from ancient condemnation, and by His resurrection gave us eternal life. Christ, we expect, will come again and will be the Judge of all our deeds and words. Do you believe this, philosopher? The philosopher could not object to anything, but, as life says, he comprehended the depth of his own error, repented and himself exposed Arius.

Spyridon became famous for many miracles. He healed the seriously ill Emperor Constantius; through his prayers, a drowned baby and his mother, who died from shock, were resurrected. His house was always open to the needy and strangers, and his heart to those seeking truth.

The Meek Accuser

Many of the saint's contemporaries took advantage of his simplicity and gentleness, but their stupid plans always turned against them. So, one day a group of young guys broke into the saint’s sheep pen at night to steal several sheep. Some invisible force tied them up, so they remained immobilized in the pen until the morning. The next morning Saint Spyridon found the thieves. Through his prayer, the invisible fetters fell from the thieves. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky could not understand why steal from someone who already gives everything for free. After instructing the thieves a little in the faith, the saint released them, giving them a sheep, with the words: “Take, my children, a ram, so that no one will say that you were awake at night in vain and came to no avail to that person from whom it is better to ask and receive for free, than to steal.”

Icon of St. Spyridon the Wonderworker of Trimifunts