A long time ago, on a sunny little island called Cyprus, there lived a kind man named Spyridon. He wasn’t rich or famous.
He was a humble shepherd—someone who took care of sheep and goats.
He loved Jesus Christ with all his heart and talked to God every day while walking in the fields.
Spyridon didn’t wear fancy clothes or live in a big house. But he had something more special: a heart full of faith and love.
🐑 A Bishop with a Shepherd’s Heart
Because Spyridon was so kind and wise, the Church chose him to become a bishop—a leader of Christians.
Even though he became Bishop of Trimythous, he never changed. He still lived simply and helped the poor, just like before. He shared everything he had and always reminded people to trust in God.
🌩️ Miracle of the Rain
One year, it didn’t rain for a very long time. The plants dried up, and people had no food. Everyone was scared.
So Saint Spyridon gathered the people and said, “Let us pray to God with all our hearts.” They knelt together, and Spyridon prayed with tears.
Suddenly—BOOM! Thunder rolled across the sky. Dark clouds came, and rain poured down, watering the thirsty earth. The people clapped and shouted with joy: “Glory to God!”
The Girl Who Spoke from the Grave
One day, a lady came to Saint Spyridon in tears. She had given her treasure to his daughter Irene to keep safe. But Irene had died before she could return it.
Spyridon went to her grave and prayed. “Daughter,” he whispered, “Where did you put the lady’s things?”
And do you know what happened? Irene spoke from the grave! She told him where the treasure was. After that, she rested peacefully again.
The people were amazed and said, “Truly, Saint Spyridon is close to God!”
The Fire, the Water, and the Clay
At the First Council of Nicaea, many important church leaders gathered to protect the truth about Jesus. Some said confusing things about God.
Saint Spyridon held up a brick and said, “God is like this.” Then—whoosh!—fire came out, water dripped down, and only clay remained in his hand.
He explained, “Just like this brick has three parts—fire, water, and earth—God is one, but also Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
Everyone was amazed at this holy miracle.
Saint Spyridon and the Plague
Years later, in a city called Corfu, a terrible sickness called the plague made many people very sick. The people cried, “Help us, Saint Spyridon!”
And he did.
People saw a tall figure walking through the streets at night with a glowing lantern and a censer, gently blessing the houses. The sickness disappeared.
To this day, people in Corfu still say, “Saint Spyridon saved us!”
The Glowing Man Who Protected a City
When the island of Corfu was attacked by soldiers, the people prayed to Saint Spyridon to protect them.
That night, in the enemy camp, soldiers screamed in fear. They saw a shining man in bishop’s clothes, walking through their tents with a flaming sword!
The next morning, the army ran away. The people of Corfu said, “It was Saint Spyridon! He defended us!”
His Body Never Got Old
Saint Spyridon grew old and gently fell asleep in the Lord around the year 348 AD. But guess what? His body didn’t rot like others.
Even today, his body is still in one piece—soft and warm, like someone sleeping. You can visit him in Corfu, an island in Greece, where he rests in a beautiful church. People come from all over the world to pray, and many are healed.
When Do We Celebrate Saint Spyridon?
Orthodox Christians remember and celebrate Saint Spyridon on December 12th every year. In Corfu, they even carry his body through the streets in four big parades every year!
A Short Prayer to Saint Spyridon
“Holy Saint Spyridon, gentle shepherd and wonderworker, pray for us and help us love Jesus like you did. Amen.”
More about the life, miracles and work of the saint here.