Among the faithful of the Old Calendar, on December 25th civil day, we greet each other with this curious term: “Good Spyridon!” in reference to the feast of the Wonderworker of Tremithus.
The term “Good Spyridon” was coined when Archbishop Averky of Syracuse, USA, first met then-Archimandrite Petros, later Bishop Petros of Astoria, at a train station during the feast of Saint Spyridon. One spoke only Greek, the other primarily Russian. Archbishop Averky noted that the Archimandrite had a traditional appearance, but how could he determine if he was truly Orthodox? So the Archbishop wished the Archimandrite, “Good Spyridon!” to which Archimandrite Petros replied, “Good Spyridon!”
All the saint’s Lives speak of his extraordinary simplicity and the gift of miracles bestowed upon him by God. Thanks to a single word from the saint, the dead were awakened, the elements were tamed, and idols were destroyed. At one point, the Patriarch convened a Council in Alexandria to discuss what to do about idols and pagan temples. Thanks to the prayers of the Council Fathers, all the idols fell except one, which was highly revered. In a vision, the Patriarch was revealed that this idol was to be destroyed by Saint Spyridon of Tremithus. At the Council’s invitation, the saint set sail on a ship, and as the ship touched shore and the saint stepped ashore, the Alexandrian idol, along with all its offerings, turned to dust. This was later reported to the Patriarch and all the bishops.
Saint Spyridon lived his earthly life in righteousness and holiness and entrusted his soul to the Lord in prayer. His relics rest on the island of Corfu (Kerkyra), in a church named after him (his right hand, however, is in Rome).
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