In the Land of St. Spyridon

Believers love Spiridon of Trimifunt. He was a very strong saint, very kind. He lived in Cyprus in the 4th century. Spiridon was a contemporary of Nicholas the Pleasant. Thanks to them, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity was adopted, so often in Cyprus these two saints are depicted together on one icon, and the icon of St. Spyridon is placed next to the icon of the Holy Trinity.

Once Spiridon, took a brick in his hands, squeezed it, and when smoke came out of the brick, water poured and only a handful of sand remained, said: As in this object there are three entities – earth, fire and water – so God is threefold in three essences – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Thus was adopted the law of doctrine of the Trinity.

Spyridon was kind and generous, gave people money in debt, helped businessmen who were doing their business. Today they are addressing their financial needs. Spiridon of Trimifunt healed people and even raised them from the dead.

Few people know that the birthplace of Spiridon is Cyprus. The city of Trimifunt, therefore its name is Spiridon of Trimifunt. Here he lived, was a bishop in these parts, hermited and performed miracles of healing and resurrection. Here, the Cypriots knew him and came to him with their requests and aspirations.

In this city Spiridon died and was buried. When the Arabs began to come to Cyprus, the Cypriots feared that they would destroy the relics of Spiridon, and gave them to Greece on the island of Corfu. The relics of the Cypriot saint are now buried there.

We're visiting Spyridon's homeland. Little remains of the city of Trimifunta. Today it is a small village, which unfortunately is located on the territory occupied by the Turks. Where once was the monastery of Spiridon of Trimifunt, now a Turkish military unit.

We won't be able to enter his monastery. But we look at the church from the side, we pray and turn to Spyridon, we walk through his native village, along the streets, look at ancient churches. Once upon a time, Spiridon himself walked along these streets.

We pass through neighboring Cypriot villages where Turkish Cypriots now live. In one of them we admire the ancient church of the Blessed Virgin, the richness of stucco reminiscent of the French Notre-Dame. The church is now closed and until recently it had a mosque. We breathe life into it with our prayers.

In another village we see a traditional Cypriot church of elongated shape. On one side it is crowned by a bell tower, and on the other, alas, a minaret is added, and now this church is a mosque. And in this defiled church we recite our prayer.

We remember Jesus, the Virgin, Spiridon, their feat. And also the feat of people who lived here and glorified saints and God, but were forced to leave their homes and leave these lands. We will follow them to the territory where the Greek Cypriots, the refugees who left these lands, live today. We drive along the dividing line and learn the history of the 1974 war.

Finally, we are in the village of Afienu, in the Church of the Virgin. In this church is kept the memory of Spiridon - his miraculous shoe. It is believed that on the relics of Spiridon are wearing shoes that constantly wear out. The priests say that Spyridon walks the world and helps people, despite the fact that he died in the 4th century. A miracle happens and the shoes wear out. One of these shoes we touch, bowing.

On the way we visit the monastery of George Mavrovuni with the miraculous icon of George the Victorious and a piece of his relics. We enter the Monastery of the Virgin The Unfading Color. It is believed that the Virgin of the Unfading Color helps unmarried girls find a worthy groom.