Large crowd in Corfu Town for St. Spyridon procession

CORFU. The procession with the Sacred Relics of St. Spyridon in remembrance of his saving the island went once again just around the church.



Corfu MPs Stefanos Gikas, Dimitris Biangis and Alexandros Avlonitis, Ionian Islands Regional Governor Rodi Kratsa, Central Corfu & Diapontia Islands Mayor Meropi Ydraiou, Regional Council President Nikos Mouzakitis and DEEP President Yiannis Kontos were present. However, due to overcrowding inside the church, Mr. Gikas and Mr. Biangis preferred to remain outside for the rest of the church service, while Mr. Avlonitis left for reasons of public health and responsibility.







The simple service was accompanied by 'Mantzaros' Philharmonic Band and a large crowd of people. However, they did not wear masks or keep proper distances.





The Sacred Relics will remain at the door until the afternoon of Friday, August 13, all day and night, for veneration. Safety measures will be strictly adhered to in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The rest of church services will be carried out as usual.


 


The miracle
The annual procession is held in remembrance of St. Spyridon's miracle in 1716 which, according to tradition, saved the island from the Ottoman Turks who had laid siege to Corfu Town for 40 days. Following the cataclysmic downpour attributed to St. Spyridon the Ottoman hordes fled, never to return.

Corfu became a bastion for the whole of Europe and Marshall Schulenburg, who defended the island, was honoured for life by the Venetian Senate who also declared on 19 March 1717 that there should be an annual procession with the Holy Relics of St. Spyridon on 11 August.