SAINT SPIRIDON – THE PATRON OF CORFU
Saint Spyridon Trimifuntsky is a great miracle worker! Extraordinary miracles are accomplished through his prayers. He was brought to Corfu in 1456 three years after the fall of Constantinople to save the relics from the Ottomans. The Temple of St. Spyridon is the tallest building in the city. It was built under the Venetian rule.
The Saint became the patron and heavenly protector of the island of Corfu. During his lifetime he was a friend of Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra.
His relics are incorruptible! The body temperature is 36,6, although he lived at the end of the 3rd century. The Saint helps everyone who prays to him and asks him from the bottom of their heart. This is the only Saint who helps in business and work, so the temple of the patron saint of the island is very rich. Gifts are brought to him from all around.
The feet of the Saint are shod in boots embroidered with gold, which pilgrims may band to and ask him for their cherished desires.
In the temple of St. Spyridon you can get “Filahto”. This is a small piece of paper with the seal of the church of St. Spyridon, it is distributed to everyone who comes to his church as a gift.
5 holidays of St. Spyridon on the island of Corfu.
* PALM SUNDAY – a litany commemorating the deliverance of the island from the plague in 1630. The most beautiful procession as all the philharmonic halls of Corfu follow the relics.
* GREAT SATURDAY – a litany of the deliverance of the island from hunger before Easter 1533. The saint is placed vertically for 3 days and nights in the temple for worship.
* AUGUST 11 – litany in honor of the victory over the Turks in 1716. The saint is placed vertically for 3 days and nights.
* THE FIRST SUNDAY OF NOVEMBER – in memory of the deliverance from the second plague in 1673. On this day, a procession is held with the relics of the Saint. A litany and then, the Saint is immediately laid in a shrine.
* DECEMBER 12 is the day of remembrance, the day of the death of the Saint. Not a working day in Corfu. All Spiridons celebrate name days. On the evening of December 11 the Saint is placed vertically for 3 days and nights.
Saint Spyridon, pray to God for us!