Slipper of Saint Spyridon of Trimythous arrives in Cherkasy Eparchy
Each year, the holy relics of Saint Spyridon of Trimythous are re-clothed, and his slippers are replaced, with the worn ones being passed on to devout Christians.
On February 12, a slipper of Saint Spyridon of Trimythous was brought to Cherkasy. Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv announced this after the liturgy on the patronal feast day at the Church of the Three Holy Hierarchs in the city.
"For us, the people of Cherkasy, today is a special, great celebration," said the metropolitan. "A slipper of Saint Spyridon has been brought to our city. This is a great relic, one of the rarest in the world."
The metropolitan explained that for centuries, the incorrupt relics of the saint have been re-dressed once a year, during which his slippers are removed. Often, they are found to be worn out, and these sacred shoes are then given as a blessing to faithful Christians around the world.
This year, Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu blessed the transfer of this relic to Cherkasy.
"Why to us? Because he, like the whole world, sees our tears, our sorrow, and what is happening to Christ’s Church in Ukraine today – especially in Cherkasy. He sees that we have been left without our cathedral, and so, for our strengthening and blessing, the slipper of Saint Spyridon has arrived in Cherkasy today. Over the next few days, it will be taken to various churches in the city, after which it will find a permanent place in the Church of the Nativity of Christ, in the southwestern district, where the lower chapel is dedicated to Saint Spyridon," stated the Cherkasy hierarch.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that four criminal cases were opened against UOC believers over the violent church raid in Cherkasy by individuals associated with the OCU.
