Spyridon of Trimythous (Greek: Σπυρίδων, ca. 270–348) was a fourth-century bishop of Trimythous in Cyprus who was present at the First Ecumenical Council. Born around 270 in the village of Ashia in Cyprus, he was a peasant farmer and shepherd with no formal education, and he is remembered for a life of piety, humility, and pastoral care.

By tradition Spyridon was married and had a daughter named Irene. After his wife died, he and his daughter both entered monastic life. He was later made Bishop of Trimythous during the reign of Constantine the Great, continuing in the piety for which he was widely known. He died in Trimythous, Cyprus, in 348.

He is venerated in the Orthodox Church as a wonderworker, known for his miraculous works and his incorrupt relics. The Church commemorates him on December 12.

Customs & Traditions

The patron of Corfu, whose incorrupt relics are carried in solemn procession through the town four times a year in thanksgiving for the island's deliverances; on his feast the faithful venerate the relics, families fry loukoumades to share, and Spyros and Spyridoula keep their name-day.

Timeline4 momentsReadHide

ca. 270Birth in CyprusSpyridon is born in the village of Ashia in Cyprus and grows up as a peasant farmer and shepherd without formal education.
4th centuryMarriage and monastic lifeBy tradition Spyridon marries and has a daughter, Irene. After his wife's death, he and his daughter both enter monasticism.
during the reign of Constantine the GreatBishop of TrimythousSpyridon is made Bishop of Trimythous in Cyprus, continuing in the piety for which he was known. He is present at the First Ecumenical Council.
348ReposeSpyridon dies in Trimythous, Cyprus.

Contributions & Legacy

3 contributionsReadHide

Historical Context and Ministry

A simple shepherd raised to the episcopate, Spyridon was present at the First Ecumenical Council, where he is numbered among the bishops who upheld the faith. His life exemplifies devotion, humility, and pastoral leadership, and he was greatly known among the faithful for his piety.

Though without formal education, he served as Bishop of Trimythous during the reign of Constantine the Great, continuing his ministry of pastoral care and spiritual leadership in Cyprus.

Relics & Shrines

Spyridon's incorrupt relics are preserved on the island of Corfu, where he is venerated as the patron saint and is commonly called the Keeper of the City (Greek: ο πολιούχος). The relics remain a testimony to his holiness and continue to draw pilgrims.

By tradition, his slippers are said to wear out, a sign associated with his ongoing intercession for the faithful.

Miracles & Traditions

Historically Documented: Spyridon is known throughout the Orthodox Church for his miraculous works and for his incorrupt relics, which pilgrims venerate on Corfu while seeking his intercession.

Traditional Accounts: On Corfu, his incorrupt relics are carried in solemn procession four times a year in thanksgiving for the island's deliverances. By tradition his slippers are said to wear out, and pilgrims continue to experience healings and deliverances through his intercession.

In The Daily Dove23 dispatchesReported as the news of its day

The other 20 dispatches

Ottoman Centuries4

Age of Councils16

Browse the Spyridon file in the archive

Family2 relativesShowHide

Daughter, who shared his pious household

Irene

Unnamed; he lived as a married shepherd before his episcopacy

His wife

not commemorated

Companions6 figuresShowHide

His disciple, whom he taught and formed (a genuine teacher–disciple bond)

Saint TriphylliusBishop of Leucosia

Fellow wonderworking bishop of the Nicene generation

Nicholasthe Wonderworker

Emperor who convened the Council of Nicaea, which Spyridon attended

Emperor Constantinethe Great

Fellow defender of Nicaea

Athanasiusthe Great

Fellow father of the Council of Nicaea

Saint AlexanderPatriarch of Alexandria

The heretic whose teaching he opposed at Nicaea

Arius

not commemorated

Related Saints7 saintsShowHide

Saints connected to his life, mission, and place in Orthodox tradition.

Fellow great hierarch

Basilthe Great

Fellow Cypriot-venerated hierarch and almsgiver

Saint John the MercifulPatriarch of Alexandria

Fellow wonderworking bishop

Saint Gregorythe Wonderworker of Neocaesarea

Later wonderworking bishop

Nektariosof Aegina

A fellow father of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, a defender of the Nicene faith.

Hieromartyr Hypatius the WonderworkerBishop of Gangra

Fellow patron of an Ionian island, venerated for his incorrupt relics.

Gerasimosof Kefalonia

Fellow patron of an Ionian island, venerated for his incorrupt relics.

Dionysiosof Zakynthos

Browse similar saints by calling and place.

More Farmers38 More Wonderworkers205 More Hierarchs580 More Bishops702 More Byzantine Saints1282

Ideas for Celebrating This Day5 ideasShowHide

Ways to honor St Spyridon of Corfu at home.

Fry a batch of loukoumades (Greek honey puffs), a festive favorite on Corfu where he is the beloved patron, and enjoy them warm.
Tell his story of holy simplicity — a humble shepherd who became a bishop yet kept his plain shepherd's cap — and talk about staying humble and generous.
Recount the miracle at the Council of Nicaea, where the unlettered shepherd-bishop confounded a clever philosopher with simple faith.
Because he was known for open-handed generosity, set aside a family gift for someone in need in his honor.
Venerate and light a candle before his icon and sing his troparion.

Sources: Synaxarion