SPIRIDIONE, saint. — Bishop of Trimitunda (Cyprus), who lived in the 4th century.
Before entering the ecclesiastical career, he was a shepherd of flocks and was married. Few details of his life are known. At the Council of Nicaea (325), he made himself notable for his combative spirit against Arianism. In the Greek Church, which honors him with the title of “wonderworker,” he enjoys a very popular cult. His liturgical feast is celebrated on 12 December. On that occasion, three days of festivities are held at Piraeus, whose Cathedral is dedicated precisely to s. S. Popular religious observances also take place in Athens, in the stadium district. His body is venerated today in Corfu.
BIBL.: Rufino, Hist. eccl., I, 3-5; BHL, 7831; BHG, 1647; Synax. Constantinop., p. 303; Martyr. Romanum, p. 583. Martiniano Roncaglia