Corfiots, devout Christians, adore Saint Spyridon, being the most significant Saint of their island in comparison to other Saints.
Saint Spyridon is the patron Saint of Corfu, the Keeper of the Town, which he saved in different occasions and periods of history. Through their actions, celebrations and belief, Corfiots try to honor their Saint in every instance.
Despite the fact that there are strong ties between Saint Spyridon and Corfu, he never lived on the island of Corfu. He was born in Cyprus, was a farmer and had a daughter. After the death of his wife, his sole concern was to devote himself to God’s grace and was declared the Bishop of Cyprus. Saint Spyridon did not change his way of life, with deeds of charity, great social work and great devotion to God. Therefore, before his death at the age of 88, was declared a Saint. His relic was taken by Cypriot believers to Constantinople for protecting it from pirate attacks in Cyprus. It remained there until Constantinople fell to the Ottomans and finally the priest Grigorios Poliefktos transferred it secretly to Epirus in 1459 for protecting it from plundering and desecration from Turks, where it remained for two years and then was taken to Corfu, where it is still kept.
The Feast Day of Saint Spyridon is on 12th of December, when the longest procession of his relic takes place in remembrance of his miracle: in 1673, the island of Corfu was saved from a second deadly plague with Saint Spyridon’s miraculous deliverance. According to legend, the plague stopped suddenly on the last days of October, 1673, since for almost 3 nights mysterious lights were seen in the bell tower of the church of Saint Spyridon while he was spotted chasing after the plague with a cross.
There are four yearly occasions throughout the year when Corfiots celebrate their Patron Saint with a procession of his relic, while is venerated as the principal protector of Corfu, indicating Corfiots’ great devotion to him and who never forget praying to.
