On December 12, the Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Trimitunt, miracle worker.

He was one of the great saints and miracle workers of the IV century.

Saint Spyridon was born on the island of Cyprus during the reign of Constantine the Great.

He became a bishop in the Cypriot city of Trimitunt, participated in the first ecumenical council in Nicaea.

According to his biography, he fed the poor and the poor and received many strangers into his home.

Cured Emperor Constantius II from a serious illness.

In his life, he did many good deeds for the Christian faith, to make people understand its goodness and humanity, to believe in the power of Christ's faith, which helps and protects.

Just as good and humane as Spyridon was and helped the poor and those in trouble, the miracles for which he became famous were just as amazing.

It is said that at the famous Council of Nicaea, in the midst of fierce debates, Spyridon, in order to convince his opponents, held the tile in his hand.

Fire came out of one end, water flowed out of the other.

In Bulgaria, Saint Spyridon is worshiped as the patron saint of craftsmen - shoemakers, bricklayers, potters, coppersmiths, etc.

The people say that St. Spyridon was a cobbler (shoemaker), so even today those working in the shoe industry and shoemakers honor his day.

Other crafts are also celebrated - tailors, abadjis, coppersmiths, carpenters.

Of course, as a memory of the stories about him, tilers and bricklayers paid special respect to him.

He is also considered the patron saint of horses and cattle.

The goatherds are also celebrating.

The cult of this saint is most widespread in South and Southeast Bulgaria.

It is especially popular among the Christian population of the Rhodopes and in the region of Blagoevgrad.

The people believe that St. Spyridon is the healer of wounds, cuts, rashes and pimples (scabs), eczema, and in his honor they knead kolaches - breads, small cows, which are distributed to neighbors and relatives with the wish that the saint will drive the disease away from home .

He not only cured diseases, but also begged for rain in a drought, and stopped the rain in a sleet, which is why he was revered by both the poor and the rich.

Where they have him as the patron saint of horses, women distribute ritual bread early in the morning for the health of the animals.

The feast of St. Spyridon (December 12) is connected with the winter feast of St. Anna (December 9) and of the prophet.

Daniel (December 17).

They complement the ritual idea of ​​transition, of moving on to something new.

Name day is celebrated by: Spiridon (from Latin "spiritis donum" – spiritual gift) Spyro, Spiridonka, Darina, Dariella, Daria, Dariella, Darinka, Darko, Dari