Corfu, August 11, 2016
An island-wide procession with the relics of St. Sypridon of Trimythous was held on Corfu. Many took part in the procession, not just residents of Corfu but also pilgrims from other areas of Greece and abroad. The faithful processed around the old section of the city of Kerkyra. The relics of the saint were standing upright in a specially-prepared crystal reliquary.
The procession was led by clergy of the island, accompanied by a number of philharmonic orchestras, including the famous orchestra “St. Spyridon.”
During the procession along the streets of Kerkyra the festive ringing of the bells in all churches of the island never ceased. According to famous tradition, the residents scattered the street with laurel branches and hung carpets from their balconies.
In 1716 the island was besieged and blocked by a large Turkish army. The forty-day confrontation wore down the strength of the local inhabitants. Hoping for Divine intercession, the helpless people gathered in the Church of St. Spyridon and tearfully lifted up prayers to the saint. Suddently, on the night of August 10 there erupted a terrible storm, and on the sea was the most severe storm. Preparing themselves for the decisive battle, the island inhabitants learned of the great miracle that occurred in the night. Eyewitnesses said that St. Sypridon with an innumerable host of angels banished the multitudinous Turkish army from the island.
