Sunshine and St Spyridon
Visiting the Patron Saint of Corfu
What I remember of the road leading up to the Agios Spyridon, or Church of St. Spyridon, is sunshine and colour. Bottles of kumquat liqueur sparkled in the sun, and the shops were filled with colourful pottery and tiles, clothes and postcards. I knew I was nearing the church, however, when the kumquat liqueur was replaced by icons.
The street winds from The Liston,(Corfu’s main square, and modelled on Paris’ Rue de Rivoli) where once only the noble elite of the city were allowed to promenade. Although wide and straight on the map, the street was more a narrow winding pathway, crowded with tourists. It was lined with shops selling all the usual tourist paraphernalia, along with samples of Corfu’s famous kumquat liqueur — beware, under a blazing summer sun, it took but a few mouthfuls to leave me heady.
Although born in Cyprus, by a twist of fate St. Spyridon is the patron saint of Corfu (and also of potters). As a shepherd, he gained a reputation for piety. On the death of his wife, he entered a monastery, eventually becoming Bishop of Trimythous, and playing an active role in the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 CE.
