Showing posts with label St. Spyridon the Wonderworker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Spyridon the Wonderworker. Show all posts

Monday, December 14, 2020

Akathist to St. Spyridon of Tremithous the Wonderworker

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

Akathist to St. Spyridon of Tremithous, the Wonderworker

Kontakion 1

O holy hierarch and wonderworker Spyridon, who hast been glorified by the Lord! Celebrating now thy most honoured memory, with tenderness we cry out to thee, as one who art able greatly to assist us with Christ Who hath glorified thee: From all misfortunes and evil deliver us, that we may cry out to thee in thanksgiving: Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

Ikos 1

Adorned from thy youth with all the virtues, and emulating the angels of Christ in thy life, O holy hierarch Spyridon, thou didst truly show thyself to be His friend. And beholding thee, the heavenly man and earthly angel, we cry out to thee with tenderness:

  • Rejoice, mind contemplating the mysteries of the All-holy Trinity;
  • Rejoice, thou who hast been enriched by the all-radiant splendour of the Spirit!
  • Rejoice, beacon of great brilliance;
  • Rejoice, thou who didst enlighten thy mind with dispassion!
  • Rejoice, thou who didst love true simplicity and serenity from childhood;
  • Rejoice, adornment of chastity!
  • Rejoice, inexhaustible torrent of love;
  • Rejoice, for thou didst emulate the hospitality of Abraham!
  • Rejoice, for in an abundance of love thou didst open the doors of thy house to all;
  • Rejoice, intercessor for the poor!
  • Rejoice, thou before whom men offer reverence;
  • Rejoice, for thou art the abode of the All-holy Spirit!
  • Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

Kontakion 2

Beholding thine incorrupt relics, from which abundant healings flow, the island of Cyprus and all Christian lands rejoice, O holy hierarch; and, honouring thee as a fountain overflowing with grace sent down upon us from on high, we cry out to the ultimate Bestower of the good things of heaven and earth: Alleluia!

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

Ikos 2

Possessing divine understanding, while yet a shepherd of dumb sheep thou wast chosen to be the shepherd of the reason-endowed sheep by the providence of Christ the Chief Shepherd. And, understanding thee to be a good shepherd who showest untiring care for thy flock, the faithful cried out:

  • Rejoice, O high priest of God Most High, who received divine grace in abundance at thy consecration;
  • Rejoice, most luminous lamp, burning and shedding light!
  • Rejoice, faithful husbandman in the garden of Christ;
  • Rejoice, shepherd who nurtured thy flock on the meadow of faith and piety!
  • Rejoice, thou who hast illumined the world with the rays of thy virtues;
  • Rejoice, thou who offered the divine sacrifice at the throne of Christ!
  • Rejoice, hierarch adorned with the understanding of Orthodoxy;
  • Rejoice, thou who art full of the teaching of the apostles, giving drink to the faithful with the streams of the doctrine of salvation!
  • Rejoice, for thou didst shed light upon the wise;
  • Rejoice, for thou didst make new the hearts of the simple!
  • Rejoice, glory of the Orthodox and unshakeable foundation of the Church;
  • Rejoice, adornment of the Faith, glory and boast of reverent priests!
  • Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

Kontaktion 3

Thou wast shown to be divinely wise by the power of the Most High which overshadowed thee, O holy hierarch Spyridon; and, grasping a tile in thy hand, thou didst manifestly demonstrate to all the Trinity of Persons in the Godhead. Wherefore, the philosophers of false knowledge assembled at the Council were stricken with awe, but the faithful glorified our unfathomable God Who made thee wise unto salvation, crying out to Him: Alleluia!

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

Ikos 3

All the Fathers of the Council, considering thee to be a simple man, unskilled in book learning, begged thee, O father Spyridon, not to enter in debate with the rhetor whom they thought to be wise. Yet, aflame with zeal for God, O holy hierarch, and believing that the preaching of Christ lieth not in the persuasive words of human wisdom, but in the manifestation of the Spirit and of power, thou didst most wisely reprove and admonish him, and didst guide him to the way of truth. And seeing this wonder, all cried out:

  • Rejoice, light of Orthodox wisdom;
  • Rejoice, for thou didst put to shame the disputers who were said to be wise!
  • Rejoice, abundant wellspring of grace;
  • Rejoice, unshakable tower holding fast those who are in the Faith!
  • Rejoice, thou who dost cast most pernicious heresy into darkness;
  • Rejoice, thou by whom foolishness was trampled underfoot!
  • Rejoice, for in thy hands the dust of the earth proclaimed the Holy Trinity;
  • Rejoice, for from the tile thou didst bring forth fire and water to confirm the dogma of the Holy Trinity!
  • Rejoice, for thou didst enlighten the people to glorify the Word Who is truly of one Essence with the all-unoriginate Father;
  • Rejoice, for thou didst crush the serpent’s head of the pernicious heresy of Arius!
  • Rejoice, for by thee was enmity slain;
  • Rejoice, thou who didst convert to the true Faith the unbelieving wise man who disputed with thee!
  • Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

Kontaktion 4

Leading thy life in poverty and want, thou wast a nurturer and helper of the poor and unfortunate; thou didst transform a serpent into gold in thy love, and didst give it to one who asked thine aid. And marvelling at this miracle, we cry out to God in thanksgiving: Alleluia!

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

Ikos 4

It hath been heard by all and in every place, that the holy hierarch Spyridon is a habitation of the Holy Trinity; for God the Father, God the Word, and God the Holy Spirit dwelt within him. Wherefore, by word and deed thou hast preached the true incarnate God to all Christians, who cry out:

  • Rejoice, initiate of the mysteries of the words of God;
  • Rejoice, thou who hast made clear God’s blueprint for the salvation of the world!
  • Rejoice, for thou didst teach us not to test that which transcendeth the knowledge and wisdom of man;
  • Rejoice, thou who didst show forth the unfathomable power of God which worketh within thee!
  • Rejoice, for through thy mouth God Himself spake;
  • Rejoice, for all heeded thee, to their delight!
  • Rejoice, thou who didst drive away the gloom of idolatry;
  • Rejoice, for thou didst lead many to the true Faith!
  • Rejoice, for thou didst crush the heads of invisible serpents;
  • Rejoice, for through thee is the Christian Faith glorified!
  • Rejoice, for thou dost splendidly illumine all who call thee blessed;
  • Rejoice, champion of the Christian Faith and Orthodoxy!
  • Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

Kontaktion 5

Thou wast full of the divine Spirit, O holy hierarch Spyridon, because of thy virtuous life; for thou wast meek, merciful, pure of heart, patient, not mindful of the evils done thee, and hospitable. Wherefore, the Creator hath shown thee to be most glorious in miracles; and, glorifying God Who hath glorified thee, we cry out to Him: Alleluia!

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

Ikos 5

We see Spyridon, the great wonderworker, as an equal of the angels. For once the land was stricken with drought and suffered greatly from the lack of water; and there was famine and contagion, and a multitude of men perished. But by the supplications of the holy hierarch rain fell from heaven upon the earth, and the people, delivered from this misfortune, cried out in gratitude:

  • Rejoice, thou who didst emulate the great Prophet Elijah;
  • Rejoice, for in due season thou didst bring down rain, dispelling famine and affliction!
  • Rejoice, for again by thy supplications thou didst close the sky up again;
  • Rejoice, for thou didst punish the pitiless merchant with the deprivation of his possessions!
  • Rejoice, for thou didst give food in abundance unto those who asked;
  • Rejoice, for thou didst move God to loving compassion for the people!
  • Rejoice, thou who takest away the weakness of the infirm;
  • Rejoice, helper of men, full of the grace of God!
  • Rejoice, thou who grantest health to the sick;
  • Rejoice, thou before whom the demons tremble!
  • Rejoice, wellspring of countless miracles;
  • Rejoice, fountain gushing forth the grace of God!
  • Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

Kontaktion 6

The veil of the Old Testament tabernacle covered the ark, the manna and the tablets of the law in the Holy of Holies. And thy temple, O holy hierarch Spyridon, hath thy shrine as its ark, thy holy relics as manna, and thy heart as tablets of divine grace, whereon we see graven the hymn: Alleluia!

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

Ikos 6

Once, because iniquity had increased, the Lord punished the people of Cyprus. causing their land to become barren. When a farmer known to the holy Spyridon came, begging help, the saint gave him gold. But when the misfortune had passed, and that farmer returned the gold to the saint, – O, the wonder! – the gold turned into a serpent! Glorifying God, Who is wondrous in His saints, let us cry out:

  • Rejoice, for thou didst emulate Moses, who miraculously transformed his staff into a snake;
  • Rejoice, loving pastor, who deliverest the reason-endowed sheep of thy flock from misfortunes!
  • Rejoice, thou who dost abundantly enrich all with every good thing;
  • Rejoice, thou who, like Elijah, didst feed the poor!
  • Rejoice, thou who movest the pitiless to mercy;
  • Rejoice, example of love for men living in the world to emulate!
  • Rejoice, consolation of both believers and the unbelieving amid tribulations;
  • Rejoice, tree of goodly foliage, overshadowing our city and land!
  • Rejoice, glory and boast of Kerkyra;
  • Rejoice, thou who, by the grace of God, hast dominion over wet and dry weather, heat and cold!
  • Rejoice, thou who didst alter the laws of earth by thy prayer;
  • Rejoice, thou who didst foresee things to come as though they were in the present!
  • Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

Kontaktion 7

Thou wast shown to be a mediator for all before the Lord, O holy hierarch Spyridon. Wherefore, we flee beneath thy shelter, seeking salvation; for we all have thee as our helper amid all necessity, during famine, deadly plague and all manner of misfortunes and trials. For this cause we cry out to God with thanksgiving: Alleluia!

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

Ikos 7

A new and magnificent wonder did we see, O father, when, going forth to deliver the man condemned to death though innocent, thou didst find a rushing torrent barring thy path; but thou didst command it to halt in the name of God Almighty, and didst cross the river with thy companions as though it were dry land. The fame of this miracle spread far and wide, and all glorified God, crying out to thee:

  • Rejoice, thou who didst cross the river, as once Joshua, son of Nun, crossed Jordan
  • Rejoice, thou who didst tame the rushing of the river by thy voice alone
  • Rejoice, for, moved by compassion, thou didst undertake a difficult journey
  • Rejoice, for thou didst expose the slander and deliver the innocent man from the bonds of imprisonment and a violent death
  • Rejoice, good fellow labourer in the Godly life
  • Rejoice, defender of those unjustly oppressed
  • Rejoice, thou who didst alter the laws of the nature of water
  • Rejoice, for thou didst admonish the judge and save the innocent from execution
  • Rejoice, true correction of souls
  • Rejoice, wondrous power which restrained the torrent
  • Rejoice, thou who dost make sweet the hearts of those who have recourse unto thee
  • Rejoice, emulator of Abraham’s love for man
  • Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

Kontaktion 8

A stranger and sojourner wast thou on earth, as are all men. Yet from thy mother’s womb the Omniscient One showed thee forth to be a great favourite and wonderworker, O holy hierarch Spyridon; for thou expellest demons, healest every illness and wound, and perceivest the thoughts of men. Wherefore, thou art shown to be wondrous among the saints. And sending up supplication to God, the Benefactor of all, we cry out to Him: Alleluia!

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

Ikos 8

The whole world was seized with great awe when it heard that death giveth up the dead from the tombs at the sound of thy voice; and it cried out:

  • Rejoice, thou who recalled to life thine own dead daughter, to allow her to reveal the location of the treasure that the widow has entrusted to her
  • Rejoice, thou who didst console the grieving widow who had given gold into thine daughter’s care
  • Rejoice, thou who didst restore the dead boy to life
  • Rejoice, thou who didst revive his mother, who had died suddenly in her joy
  • Rejoice, for thou didst emulate Elijah, who by his supplications returned to life the son of the woman of Zarepath
  • Rejoice, for thou didst also emulate Elisha, who roused a boy from death
  • Rejoice, pastor who truly loved men
  • Rejoice, thou who, in the name of God, didst absolve the sins of the harlot who washed thy feet with her tears
  • Rejoice, thou who didst acquire the holy zeal of the pre-eminent apostle
  • Rejoice, for, at thy word, the unrepentant sinful woman died in her grievous sins
  • Rejoice, thou who in thine entreaties didst ask that the land yield abundant fruit
  • Rejoice, firm assurance of the resurrection of men
  • Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

Kontaktion 9

Thou wast illumined with the radiance of the divine Spirit, O Spyridon, for thou didst possess the spirit of wisdom, since, by thy wise words, thou didst show the mindless ones to be foolish in the midst of the Fathers didst confirm the Faith. Thou didst also possess the spirit of understanding, in that thou didst enlighten the minds of the benighted, and didst likewise have the spirit of the fear of God, for thou didst continually purify thy soul with God-pleasing works. Wherefore, standing before the throne of the Most High, with the assembly of the angels thou dost chant unto Him: Alleluia!

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

Ikos 9

Receiving from the Lord Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, the staff of a shepherd of reason-endowed sheep, O holy Spyridon thou did not alter thy manner of life. Unacquisitive, meek, bearing all things for the sake of love, thou were not ashamed to care also for thine flock of dumb sheep. All of these things move us to glorify God and cry out to thee:

  • Rejoice, thou who disdained the glory of this world as vain;
  • Rejoice, thou who hast acquired great reward in the heavens!
  • Rejoice, thou who didst consider the beautiful things of this word to be as dung;
  • Rejoice, vessel of the good things of heaven!
  • Rejoice, most holy pasture of the inhabitants of Cyprus;
  • Rejoice, for, for thy sake, God bound with invisible bonds those who attempted to steal thy sheep!
  • Rejoice, thou who didst give fatherly admonition to the thieves;
  • Rejoice, thou who, in thy lovingkindness, didst make a present of a ewe-lamb to them after they had spent a night without sleep!
  • Rejoice, thou who didst, by the disobedience of the goat, reprove the merchant who consciously concealed the full payment for thereof
  • Rejoice, thou who didst bring to repentance the man who hid thy silver coins!
  • Rejoice, for thou didst cure him of the passion of love of gain by thine exhortation!
  • Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

Kontaktion 10

O holy hierarch Spyridon, who savest the souls of the flock entrusted to thee by God, by the providence of God thou wast called to show forth thine own glory, and all the moreso the glory of the true God, even in other lands, that the name of God may be glorified everywhere by those who cry: Alleluia!

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

Ikos 10

The holy Spyridon, the speedy helper and aid amid every necessity and sorrow, travelled to the city of Antioch with the other pastors, where the Emperor Constantius was held fast by sickness. The holy hierarch touched his head and restored his health; and we, marvelling at this miracle, cry out to thee:

  • Rejoice, thou whom an angel revealed in a dream to the emperor as a healer
  • Rejoice, thou who, in thine old age, didst undertake a difficult journey for the sake of the love of God
  • Rejoice, thou who, following the Saviour’s commandment, didst turn thine other cheek to the servant of the emperor who struck thee
  • Rejoice, pillar of humility
  • Rejoice, thou who by thy supplications healed the emperor who besought thee with tears
  • Rejoice, for by thine own meekness thou didst admonish the servant and change his unmerciful character
  • Rejoice, for thou didst teach the emperor piety and loving kindness
  • Rejoice, for, despising the treasures of earth, thou didst not accept the emperor’s gold
  • Rejoice, for thou didst turn thine own disciple, Tryphillius, away from passion for earthly goods and didst make of him a vessel of the grace of God
  • Rejoice, for at thine arrival in Alexandria the idols toppled
  • Rejoice, thou to whom even the demons submit
  • Rejoice, for thou didst convert many from idolatry
  • Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

Kontaktion 11

Angelic chanting was audible when thou didst offer up thine evening prayers in church, O holy hierarch Spyridon, yet there was none serving with thee. And the inhabitants of the city, hearing this marvellous chanting, entered the church and, seeing no one, chanted with the heavenly hosts: Alleluia!

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

Ikos 11

Thou wast a radiant sun for the world and a conversor with angels on earth, O holy hierarch Spyridon. Surrendering thy soul into the hands of God, thou didst depart for the mansions of heaven, where thou prayest for the world before the throne of the Master. And we who live on earth cry out to thee:

  • Rejoice, for, while yet alive, thou didst serve with the angels
  • Rejoice, thou who didst listen to the hymnody of the archangels
  • Rejoice, visible image of our transfiguration
  • Rejoice, for, when there was not enough oil in church, God filled the lamps with an abundance thereof for thy sake
  • Rejoice, lamp of divine radiance
  • Rejoice, vessel of the grace of God, which, like oil, filleth thy soul to overflowing
  • Rejoice, wellspring which can never dry up, who ever pourest forth torrents of grace upon all
  • Rejoice, thou at whom even the angels are amazed
  • Rejoice, thou who chastised the disobedience of the deacon in church
  • Rejoice, thou who deprived of voice and speech one who was enamored of his own voice
  • Rejoice, for, during the burning heat, a dew which suddenly descended from on high cooled thy sacred head
  • Rejoice, thou who didst foresee the approach of thy repose in this sign
  • Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

Kontaktion 12

The protection and refuge of all the faithful during thy lifetime, O holy hierarch, thou hast not left us orphans since thy repose; for God, abrogating the laws of nature, hath preserved thy holy relics incorrupt for the strengthening of the Orthodox Faith and piety, and as a token of immortality. And glorifying Him, we cry out: Alleluia!

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

Ikos 12

We hymn thee, O holy hierarch of God, for thou has astonished the world with the miracles which flow from thy holy relics. For all who approach them and kiss them with faith receive the goodly things for which they ask. And glorifying God Who hath given thee strength, hath crowned thee with the wreath of incorruption, and worketh through thee, we cry out to thee:

  • Rejoice, thou who in time of famine didst appear to the ship-captains and didst command them to supply the people with food
  • Rejoice, thou who gavest sight to the blind who approached thy holy relics with faith
  • Rejoice, thou who healed the youth of his incurable ailment
  • Rejoice, thou who didst drive the demon from a woman, making her well
  • Rejoice, chosen general of Kerkyra
  • Rejoice, for thou expelled the horde of muslim infidels and didst sink their ships in the deep
  • Rejoice, thou whom they beheld surrounded by a crowd of angels, holding a sword in thy right hand, and who caused the enemy to tremble
  • Rejoice, thou who didst prevent the governor from building a church for himself in which to have mass celebrated with unleavened bread
  • Rejoice, thou who didst bring upon the Venetian governor a cruel death
  • Rejoice, thou who by lightning didst cause his portrait to burn in his palace in Venice
  • Rejoice, thou who hast put to shame the apostasy and false teaching of the West
  • Rejoice, thou who hast confirmed for men that only the Orthodox Faith is true and leads to salvation
  • Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

Kontaktion 13

Accepting this our entreaty, O all-wondrous holy hierarch of Christ, father Spyridon, deliver us from all tribulations and assaults, strengthen the hierarchy of our Church against all heresies and schisms, grant us remission of our transgressions, and rescue from everlasting death all who for thy sake cry out to God: Alleluia!

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

The above Kontaktion is said three times, then continue with the below:

Ikos 1

Adorned from thy youth with all the virtues, and emulating the angels of Christ in thy life, O holy hierarch Spyridon, thou didst truly show thyself to be His friend. And beholding thee, the heavenly man and earthly angel, we cry out to thee with tenderness:

  • Rejoice, mind contemplating the mysteries of the All-holy Trinity;
  • Rejoice, thou who hast been enriched by the all-radiant splendour of the Spirit!
  • Rejoice, beacon of great brilliance;
  • Rejoice, thou who didst enlighten thy mind with dispassion!
  • Rejoice, thou who didst love true simplicity and serenity from childhood;
  • Rejoice, adornment of chastity!
  • Rejoice, inexhaustible torrent of love;
  • Rejoice, for thou didst emulate the hospitality of Abraham!
  • Rejoice, for in an abundance of love thou didst open the doors of thy house to all;
  • Rejoice, intercessor for the poor!
  • Rejoice, thou before whom men offer reverence;
  • Rejoice, for thou art the abode of the All-holy Spirit!
  • Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

Kontakion 1

O holy hierarch and wonderworker Spyridon, who hast been glorified by the Lord! Celebrating now thy most honoured memory, with tenderness we cry out to thee, as one who art able greatly to assist us with Christ Who hath glorified thee: From all misfortunes and evil deliver us, that we may cry out to thee in thanksgiving: Rejoice, O Spyridon, most miraculous wonderworker!

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

Prayer

O all-blessed and holy hierarch Spyridon, thou great favourite of Christ and most glorious wonderworker! Standing in heaven with the choirs of angels before the throne of God, look down with merciful gaze upon the people who stand here before thee and beseech thy mighty aid. Entreat the compassion of God Who loveth mankind, that He judge us not according to our iniquities, but that He deal with us according to His mercy. Ask for us of Christ our God a peaceful and undisturbed life, health of soul and body, bounty from the earth and abundance and prosperity in all things; and that we turn not the good things given us by our compassionate God to evil, but rather to His glory and the glorification of thine aid. Deliver all who approach God with unwavering faith from all retribution and from the assaults of the demons. Be thou a comforter for the grieving, a physician for the afflicted, a helper amid temptations, a shelter for the naked, an aid to the widowed, a defender of the orphaned, a nourisher of infants, a strengthener of the aged, a guide to travellers; and beg thou for all who are in need of thy mighty help all things which conduce to salvation, that, guided and protected by thy prayers, we may attain unto everlasting rest and with thee may glorify God Who is worshiped in the Holy Trinity: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen

(source)

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Paraklesis to St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (chanted in Greek)

 

Paraklesis to St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (chanted in Greek) (source)
   
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Thursday, December 12, 2019

"Shining with heavenly rays, and with the power of Christ...

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker depicted helping a multitude of children (source)
  
Shining with heavenly rays, and with the power of Christ, you bestow healings of soul and body to those who ever celebrate your memory in faith, O wonderworking Father, blessed by God. Do not cease to pray for us.
-Prosomoion of the Praises from the Feast of St. Spyridon the Wonderworker

(source)

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)
     
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

"The Lord glorified you with a multitude of wonders and awesome deeds..."

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)
  
The Lord glorified you with a multitude of wonders and awesome deeds, O blessed one, for in the holy Synod, you proclaimed the Holy Trinity, and you raised the dead, and transformed the snake into gold, and paradoxically, you turned back and passed through the raging river through your prayers.
-Exaposteilarion for the feast of St. Spyridon the Wonderworker
  
(source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Saturday, December 12, 2015

"The river of your charismas waters every heart..."


St. Spyridon the Wonderworker, Bishop of Trimethous (source)
  
The river of your charismas waters every heart, O Venerable [Spyridon], and grants to all deliverance richly, calling all to glorify Him Who glorified you, and all to honor your wonderworking.

Formerly, the dead girl, as one alive, spoke to you who questioned her, O Father. O sublime wonder! O paradoxical mystery! O, the grace that you were granted! For you were adorned with an Angelic life, O you who are worthy to be praised.
-Troparia from the Canon to St. Spyridon, Second Tone
  
(source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Friday, May 31, 2013

A wondrous appearance of St. Spyridon

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!
St. Spyridon the Wonderworker, Bishop of Trimethous - Commemorated December 12th (source)
   
A wondrous appearance of St. Spyridon (amateur translation)
This event that I and my husband are relating was the beginning of our opening our hearts to believe in God in reality, because up till then, we only listened to God's liturgists with denial and criticism. My husband, furthermore, had the opinion that there was no God. This was a great event that confirmed to us how wrong we were, and what a mistake we made, and opened our eyes to see the true road, the road to God.

Our son Sotiris was born on September 19th, 1994. We had decided that when the child had completed forty days of age, I would go to church to get a blessing, like normal, after the exhortations of our immediate family members.

I did not go on my fortieth day, but the next day was a Sunday, October 30th, 1994. However, as careless and naive people that we are, though I awoke at 7AM to get ready, after, I lied down again and fell asleep. Thus, I awoke later with my husband, and we leisurely got ready and left for church. When we went to the first church, the Divine Liturgy had finished, and there was no priest to give the blessing to the child. We left and went to another church. We visited the churches that we knew in the towns of Peristeri, Chaidariou, and Aigaleo. Some churches were locked, others were open, but the priests had left. I, however, insisted, and said to my husband that "Today, Sunday, he should get the blessing." Around 2PM we reached the Holy Church of St. Spyridon in Aigaleo. My husband said that we should abandon our endeavor and go the next day to get the blessing, however, I insisted. I saw the door of the church half-open, and I told him: "This will be our last try". Thus, we entered the Holy Church, myself with my baby in my arms, and my husband.
  
St. Spyridon with scenes from his life (source)
  
The polyeleos before the Royal Doors was lit by electricity. One priest was sitting in the rear stasidia on the women's side (today the stasidia have been replaced by chairs). He was very old, and because I did not want to bother him, I went to the priests' office within the church, in a renovated place to find another priest to give the blessing. There was no one in the office. I looked throughout the whole church, and there was no one else except for the church warden.

Then, the sole, elderly priest that was sitting, turned his head towards our direction and asked: "What do you want?"

"Father," I said, "I wanted my child to get the forty-day blessing, but we were running late today."

"I will do it," he said, and stood up. Then we beheld a tall man, elderly, with totally white hair and beard, wearing a white robe. He came towards us slowly, because he was elderly, but also very peaceful. He took the child in his hands, and we lost him within his arms. He said the prayers by heart, without reading anything, and went to pass throughout the Holy Church.

He entered the Holy Altar through the central door, and exited through the left door. He came back to our place, and gave us back our child, and said three blessings (not "na sas zesei" [literally, may he out-live you], but very moving prayers having to do with the future of the child, which, because of our not showing the proper attention, we have not remembered to this day, neither me nor my husband). We received the child, and left feeling lucky that we were able to have the forty-day blessing.

After some time, we reached the store that we have in Aigaleo, where we work with a trustee of the Holy Church. We struck up a conversation and we told him: "You have a very good priest in your church." And we began to describe the priest that we thought that we had seen.

"We don't have a priest like that," he replied. After, he asked us, "Do you know Fr. (same)?"

"No, we don't know him."

When we said that he was wearing a white robe, he shed a tear, telling us that a simple priest does not wear a white robe, but only in certain circumstances. Furthermore, he told us that the church is usually closed those hours of the day, because everyone is tired from the morning Divine Liturgy, and they also usually go to the church later in the evening. He said: "Only Christ and the Saints have the right to wear white robes, and because of this, you should pray and thank God." And he left.

Then we immediately thought to visit the priests of that church one of the next days to find out who that priest was in reality. Before we were able to go, a woman came to our store, who had never been there before, and who has not returned since. She was speaking continuously, and no one could stop her (And it was noteworthy that there were other customers in the store).

She observed a small icon that we had been given of St. Ephraim, which we posted in a conspicuous place, and said: "Ah! You know St. Ephraim? Take another icon," she told us. And before I could say anything, she grabbed my hand and placed in my palm a small icon. I looked at it. It was an icon of St. Spyridon. I waited for this unknown woman and the rest of the customers to leave, and I asked my husband: "Do you remember the priest who did the forty-day blessing for our Sotiri?" He said yes, and I told him to look at the icon of the Saint. He agreed enthusiastically, "that's him."

We therefore went to the church of St. Spyridon, and again saw St. Spyridon in the large icon in the church. It was the same Saint whom we had met. We mentioned this wondrous event to the priests. And the managers of the Holy Metropolis of Nicea, to which the church belongs, also learned of this.

One Sunday, at this church, one of the priests mentioned this wondrous event of the appearance of St. Spyridon during the sermon in the Divine Liturgy, without of course mentioning the names, saying to the faithful that miracles still happen in our days, as long as we open our eyes and our souls. And in reality, he was totally right. If we open our hear and seek for God to come into our lives in reality, then He will help our every step, in every moment of our life. To this day which I write these lines, my son has completed his 14th year, and he has grown handsome, peaceful, bringing us every joy that we have him near us. May God every grant him enlightenment!

I and my husband wanted to record our personal witness, which relates one of the miracles that still happen in our days!
(source)
 
"This is the icon of St. Spyridon which the lady gave me who came to my store, and which I keep with me to this day" (source)
 
Christ has risen from the dead, by death he has trampled on death, and to those in the graves given life!

Truly the Lord is risen!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

St. Paisios on the incorrupt Relics of the Ionian

Sts. Spyridon of Corfu, Gerasimos of Cephalonia and Dionysios of Zakynthos, three great wonderworker of Christ  whose incorrupt Holy Bodies bless and protect the peoples of the Ionian (source)
   
Elder, could St. Spyridon have asked from God that his Relic remain incorrupt?

-No, how could that have happened? The Saints don't ask for such things. God willed that his Relic remain incorrupt in order to help people. And behold how God arranges things! Because Kerkyra (Corfu), Cephalonia and Zakynthos are near Italy, and that it would be easy for people to be seduced by Catholicism, He placed a great barrier there: St. Spyridon, St. Gerasimos and St. Dionysios.
 
Amateur translation from Source: Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain, Words VI, On Prayer. The Holy Hesychasterion "St. John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki (http://vatopaidi.wordpress.com/2012/12/12/ο-γέροντας-παΐσιος-για-τον-άγιο-σπυρίδ/)
   
Sts. Spyridon, Gerasimos and Dionysios the Wonderworker (source)
      
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Friday, December 12, 2008

The Veneration of St. Spyridon on Kerkyra [Corfu]

The Bell-tower of St. Spyridon, Kerkyra (taken from: http://www.imcorfu.gr/agios%20foto/agios%20foto.htm)

Greetings!

Today (December 12th) was the feast of St. Spyridon, and I thought to include some information gathered from various places about how the Saint is venerated on Kerkyra, where his Holy Relics came to rest. For a very through account of his life that I just came across, see: http://www.saint-spyridon.com/archive_spyridon.htm. The first excerpt, on how he came to Kerkyra, is from (http://goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=332&type=saints):

"By the divine grace which dwelt in him, [St. Spyridon] wrought such great wonders that he received the surname 'Wonderworker." So it is that, having tended his flock piously and in a manner pleasing to God, he reposed in the Lord about the year 350, leaving to his country his sacred relics as a consolation and source of healing for the faithful. About the middle of the seventh century, because of the incursions made by the barbarians at that time, his sacred relics were taken to Constantinople, where they remained, being honoured by the emperors themselves. But before the fall of Constantinople, which took place on May 29, 1453, a certain priest named George Kalokhairetes, the parish priest of the church where the Saint's sacred relics, as well as those of Saint Theodora the Empress, were kept, took them away on account of the impending peril. Travelling by way of Serbia, he came as far as Arta in Epirus, a region in Western Greece opposite to the isle of Corfu. From there, while the misfortunes of the Christian people were increasing with every day, he passed over to Corfu about the year 1460. The relics of Saint Theodora were given to the people of Corfu; but those of Saint Spyridon remain to this day, according to the rights of inheritance, the most precious treasure of the priest's own descendants, and they continue to be a staff for the faithful in Orthodoxy, and a supernatural wonder for those that behold him; for even after the passage of 1,500 years, they have remained incorrupt, and even the flexibility of his flesh has been preserved. Truly wondrous is God in His Saints! (Ps. 67:3 5)"
   
The Holy Reliquary of St. Spyridon, Kerkyra (taken from: http://www.imcorfu.gr/agios%20foto/agios%20foto.htm)

St. Spyridon, as was mentioned, is beloved throughout the whole world, however, the people of the island of Kerkyra are especially devoted to him. Four times a year, I believe, they have a procession of his holy and incorrupt Relics, in commemoration of the numerous miracles of his to save the island. The following info on those feasts is taken from: http://www.corfunext.com/saint_spyridon.htm.

"The Religious Processions of Saint Spyridon
Drawing of the Litany of St. Spyridon (taken from: http://oldkerkyraphoto.blogspot.com/2007_07_08_archive.html)
   
On Palm Sunday, Easter Saturday, August 11th and the first Sunday in November the body of St. Spyridon, is carried in solemn procession along the streets of Corfu on routes prescribed by tradition.

The great Palm Sunday procession commemorates the miraculous deliverance of the island from a deadly plague. The windows of most houses along the route of the procession are decorated with purple, gold-fringed draperies in honor of the Saint; the custom dates back to Venetian times and has its origin in Byzantium. The procession is attended by the clergy, headed by the Metropolitan, by representatives of the secondary schools and Boy Scouts, the three brass bands of Corfu town, and others from the villages. All the civic and state authorities, as well as detachments of the armed forces, take part in the procession. We must return to the seventeenth century to learn the origin of the procession. Large crowds gathered in despair in St. Spyridon’s Church and prayed to the Saint for salvation from the plague, which had already taken the lives of sixty citizens. From that day the number of death was gradually reduced and at the same time a light like that of a small lamp was seen at night on the top of the Saint’s belfry and was observed by the night sentinels of the Old Fortress. By Palm Sunday the epidemic was over and this was ascribed to the miraculous intervention of the Saint. The whole of the rejoicing population, in a show of gratitude, carried their Patron Saint in procession. The Venetian Governor, at the request of the people of Corfu, decreed on the 21st of June 1630 that henceforth a procession would be held on Palm Sunday every year.

St. Spyridon working a miracle (taken from: http://www.imcorfu.gr/litanies.htm)
   
The Easter Saturday procession commemorates the relief of the island from famine, and is the oldest of the four processions and the most solemn, since it is combined with the Orthodox ritual carrying the ‘Epitaph’, a gilt bier representing the body of Jesus Christ being borne to the grave. On this occasion the canopy is not held over the Saint but over the Epitaph. This custom dates back to 1574, when the Venetian Senate prohibited the Greek Orthodox processions of the Epitaph taking place on Good Friday. Local custom and tradition has for this reason moved the Epitaph procession from Good Friday to Easter Saturday exclusively for the Church of St. Spyridon. The Saint’s body is not replaced in its permanent silver casket when the procession is over, but is exposed day and night for general [veneration] by the faithful until the afternoon of Easter Tuesday. The story of this procession reaches back to the middle of the sixteenth century. According to the legend of the Saint, the inhabitants of Corfu were suffering from famine since no grain ships could sail owing contrary winds. Unexpectedly, on Easter Saturday, ships loaded with flour sailed into Corfu harbor. They were sailing past the island and had been diverted thither by St. Spyridon who appeared in a dream to the captains and induced them to change their course and sail at once to Corfu because the population was starving. The flour was unloaded and distributed to the inhabitants who thus satisfied their hunger and celebrated Easter joyfully. According to historical evidence Easter Saturday procession was probably first held in the second half of the sixteenth century.

The Litany of St. Spyridon on Pascha (taken from: http://www.bellavistahotel.gr/gr/kerkira-hotel-gr-easter.htm)
   
The third procession of St. Spyridon is held on 11th of August, in remembrance of the Saint’s deliverance of the island from the Turkish siege of 1716. The legend of the Saint mentions that there appeared to the enemy Saint Spyridon surrounded by a glorious heavenly host, holding in his right hand flashing sword, and furiously pursuing them. On its return to the church the Saint’s body is exposed for general [veneration] for three days and two nights.
   
See the following links for more information on the great miracles of St. Spyridon in driving back the Turks from the island of Corfu, and defending his church from the Latins.
 
St. Spyridon working a miracle (taken from: http://www.imcorfu.gr/litanies.htm)
   
The last in the calendar of the processions of St. Spyridon is that on the first Sunday in November in commemoration of the miraculous intercession of the Saint in saving Corfu from deadly plague, which twice visited the island in the seventeenth century. The history of the procession goes back to 1673. The pestilence was first identified in one of the suburbs and soon spread all over the town; the entire population was gripped by terror of death. For three nights a light was seen by the local inhabitants on the bell-tower of his Church and the figure of Saint Spyridon, carrying cross in one hand, appeared driving the pestilence away. The Venetian Governor, at request of the people of Corfu, sanctioned by decree on the 29th of October 1673 that the procession be held every year on the first Sunday in November.Bibliography: STAMATOPOULOS, N.: Old Corfu, History and Culture"

Some of the faithful refer to St. Spyridon as "The Walking Saint", because his slippers must be replaced every year because they are worn out from his various miraculous travels to heal and help people (http://orthodoxwiki.org/Spyridon_of_Trimythous).
 
"One of the pairs of St. Spyridon's slippers, housed at the cathedral dedicated to him in Worcester, Massachusetts" (taken from: http://orthodoxwiki.org/Spyridon_of_Trimythous)
   
May St. Spyridon intercede for all of us and help us!
   

Kontakion of St. Spyridon in the Second Tone
Wounded by your love for Christ, O holy One, your mind given wings by the radiance of the Spirit, you put the practice of theory into deeds, becoming a sacred altar, O Chosen by God, and praying for the divine illumination of all.
(http://www.imcorfu.gr/agios%20spiridon.htm, http://goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=332&type=saints)
   
St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)
   
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

The Life of St. Spyridon the Wonderworker

Icon depicting the Dormition of St. Spyridon with numerous scenes from his life (http://194.177.217.107/gr/showpic.asp?picpath=56_8bit_PE-IC9bis-DS2-Q2&curtable=icons&currecord=56&vorder=1&vmode=first)

Greetings!

Tomorrow (December 12th) if the feast of St. Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythous, the Wonderworker. He is one of the most beloved Saints of the Orthodox Church, the Protector of Kerkyra (Corfu), Cyprus, Piraeus, potters, and many who bear his name. His life is filled with love, humility, and the Grace of Christ, and is worth reading. The OCA website has an excellent and thorough account of his life: http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=103526.
  
For another very thorough account of his life that I just came across, see: http://www.saint-spyridon.com/archive_spyridon.htm.
  
Below I'll include a few miracles from the life of St. Spyridon that (at first I thought) weren't included above version (amateurly translated and summarized from: http://www.synaxaristis.googlepages.com/12δεκεμβριου)
  

St. Spyridon Bishop of Trimythous, the Wonderworker (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)
  
"Once, the bishop, [St. Spyridon] after a long journey teaching his people, he became tired, and went to rest in the home of one of the faithful. Hearing this, many people from neighboring houses at first, and later from the whole community ran out to meet and to get the blessing of the Saint. Among the crowds was a woman who was sinner, who also came to see the saint. Some even fell down below, to embrace his feet. With the Grace of the Holy Spirit, as soon as the Saint looked at her, he immediately understood her sin. Without anyone else hearing, in a sweet and humble manner, he whispered to the woman: «Lady, don't touch me.»

She insisted, however. And then the Saint with austerity revealed the face of the sin of all. The woman was in awe, and with a broken heart and tears she began to seek the mercy of God. Before this repentance, the loving father said with emotion those words once said by the Lord to such a sinner: «Take heart, o daughter. Your sins are forgiven you.» Go forth and be careful in the future. With his way, the Saint helped the woman who was a sinner to repent. He also gave a lesson to all. Only sincere repentance cleanses and restores the soul of man its honored position, to be a child of God."
  
St. Spyridon the Wonderworker, depicted as a shepherd (source)
  
"Once the saint, accompanied by his friend and pupil of Trifyllio, the first bishop of Nicosia (then Lidras), set out for Kyrenia for some task. The road passed by Kythrea, and at the time it was spring and nature around was more beautiful than a painting. The trees were putting forth flowers. The lovely birds sung sweetly and flew from branch to branch. Mountain flocks were grazing on the rich grass with so many flowers, with the aroma that if seemed to glorify the Creator. They were traveling along the way slowly, because it was an uphill path, and at some juncture Trifyllios was admiring the verdant panoramic plain, which stretched beneath their feet, began to have certain thoughts:

What good, he was thinking mentally, to have for my bishopric some of the buildings located in this place. They would give me a good income to face so many needs.

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (http://bizantinum.livejournal.com/68782.html)
  
-What are you thinking, my brother? St. Spyridon said. Why let your mind be occupied with such vain things at this time?

-My Geronta [Elder], were you reading my thoughts?

-My Brother, «For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come» (Hebrews 13:14). We don't have here on earth a permanent and lasting home and city, with deep longing we desire the future, the celestial Jerusalem. Vain are all earthly goods. In your heart always have one desire. To aquire the heavens, the eternal good things. All the earthly goods are provisional and deceptive. Today is ours. Tomorrow will be owned by someone else. And never desire? [Και ουδέποτε τίνος.?]

-My Father, forgive me. I was defeated by visions. Prayer to our Lord to forgive me.

-Yes, my son, be careful. The devil uses the most innocent things, to tempt us and scandalize us. Instead of visions, leave our minds to glorify the Creator, Who made everything for our love and happiness, instead of yearning forcefully to seek vain things and to seek to obtain, to make our buildings? [να τα κάμει κτήμα του?]

How much wisdom is in the words of the Divinely-illumined Bishop. Instead of man thinking to hymn and glorify his Maker and Fashioner before the majesty of the Almighty Creator, as one generally does, one yearns to acquire and enjoy the goods of the earth."

Two other miracles I think are worth mentioning from his life, also because they are mentioned in his apolytikion below.
  

St. Spyridon Bishop of Trimythous, the Wonderworker (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)
  
"One day, another poor family knocked at the door of the Bishop. They approached the Saint with tears and asked for a loan. He wanted to pay a debt to a rich man who threatened to sell their home. But where would the Saint find that much to give? The pain that gave rise to bitter tears of the poor family, torn by grief, struck the loving bishop, and he went for a walk. Suddenly there was in front of them a snake slithering through the green. Like lightning, the rod of Aaron struck the mind of the Saint, which at the palace of Pharaoh fell to earth and became a snake. «As it is, Lord, may this snake become gold for this poor family, he said slowly. Yes, Lord. Let it become gold to help this miserable creature of Yours», and again lifted his hand. The snake stopped, and the Saint bent down and picked it up. In his hands the disgusting serpent was transformed and now show forth as gold.

-Take it, son, said the Saint with kindness. Take it and do your work. And the poor man full of joy took the gold and ran to give it to the rich creditor. When the man, with the help of God, paid the debt, the lender returned the golden pledge. The poor man took it back with tears of gratitude and returned it to the Saint. Once he received it in his hands, he turned his eyes towards to heaven, glorified God for His infinite charity, and then threw it to the earth. And miracle of miracles! The gold became a snake again and and left ahead of them."

"When the saint returned to Cyprus [after the 1st Eccumenical Council], he learned with great sadness that his daughter Irene had died. The faithful bishop accepted this trial with exemplary patience and endurance. A few days later a woman came to him with tears and asked for a precious thing, a jewel. It was given to his daughter to watch shortly before she died. The saint arose and carefully searched throughout the house to find the missing object. Unfortunately, it was not found anywhere. Then without any hesitation he went to the grave of his daughter. When he arrived, he offered a fervent prayer, and then, after he bowed over the grave, he asked the dead daughter, as if she were alive, to tell him where she had put the object. Immediately a voice from the depths of the tomb was heard to say:

-My Father, I have it hidden in that certain place. Then the Saint said: -Sleep, my daughter, in peace. Sleep until the day when the Lord will raise us all in the General Resurrection. Those who were there were shaken and were left speechless. They reflected on the strength with which the All-good God endowed this simple but holy bishop. The good shepherd, who would do everything for the benefit and service of Christians."
  

St. Spyridon Bishop of Trimythous, the Wonderworker (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)
   
Apolytikion of St. Spyridon - Mode 1. The stone had been secured.
At the first of the Synods, you emerged as the champion, * and wonder-worker, our God-bearing Father Spyridon. * Wherefore, you addressed the dead one in the grave, * and a serpent you changed to gold. * And while chanting* in service your sacred prayers,* you had angels concelebrating, O most Holy One.* Glory to Christ who glorified you,* glory to Him who crowned you,* glory to the One who works through you,* healings for everyone.
(taken from Fr. Seraphim Dedes: http://sgpm.goarch.org/ematins/bilingual/Dec12.pdf)
St. Spyridon, intercede for us!
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!