Cherkasy welcomes the relics of Saint Spyridon of Trimythous

The Cherkasy Eparchy welcomes the relics of Saint Spyridon of Trimythous. Photo: Cherkasy Eparchy

On December 25, 2024, the feast day of Saint Spyridon of Trimythous, a reliquary containing a fragment of his relics was brought to the Archdiocesan Courtyard of the Nativity of Christ in Cherkasy. This was reported by the press service of the Cherkasy Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The relic was brought by Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv. At the lower church of the courtyard, dedicated to Saint Spyridon, the Metropolitan celebrated the Divine Liturgy, followed by a moleben (prayer service) before an icon of the saint, which had been gifted from the island of Corfu, Greece.

After the Liturgy, the faithful had the opportunity to venerate the relics of the saint, pray, and receive anointing with holy oil. Each attendee was also gifted a flower from the arrangement adorning the reliquary.

During the later Liturgy, Metropolitan Theodosiy was joined by Bishop Theodosiy of Ladansky, Vicar of the Nizhyn Eparchy, and Bishop Antony of Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, Vicar of the Cherkasy Eparchy. The hierarchs were also assisted by clergy from the Cherkasy Eparchy and invited priests.

The service was attended by Abbess Hilaria of the Holy Trinity Matroninsky Monastery and sisters of the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent of Mercy in Cherkasy.

A special prayer for the Church enduring persecution was offered during the Liturgy.

After the Gospel reading, Bishop Theodosiy of Ladansky delivered a sermon to the congregation and guests. He explained the spiritual significance of the Beatitudes, read during the service, and described them as the path to achieving true Christian happiness.

The bishop placed particular emphasis on the words of Christ: "Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake" (Luke 6:22). He highlighted that the true essence of Christian faith is revealed under persecution, and those who courageously endure such trials are worthy of eternal life in Heaven.

According to the diocese, the reliquary with Saint Spyridon's relics will remain at the Archdiocesan Courtyard until January 2, 2025. During this period, daily molebens and akathists will be held before the relics at 7:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 7:00 PM.

The faithful can submit prayer requests to be read at Saint Spyridon’s shrine on the island of Corfu, as well as purchase icons, books, akathists, and oil sanctified at the saint’s relics. After its stay in Cherkasy, the relic will visit other churches in the Cherkasy region.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Saint Spyridon was endowed with the gift of healing diseases, and his prayers were capable of curing even those deemed incurable.

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