The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Spyridon of Trimythous
c. 270 – c. 348 · Shepherd-bishop of Cyprus · Father of Nicaea · Trimythous, Cyprus
The Nicene Age
Who Spyridon of Trimythous was
A Cypriot shepherd, married and unlettered, who became bishop of Trimythous and — the tradition holds — attended the Council of Nicaea, where his simple faith was said to have confounded a philosopher-debater more effectively than the learned bishops’ arguments. A confessor who had lost an eye in the persecution, famous for miracles, humility, and keeping his flocks even as a bishop. He embodies, in the memory of the Greek church, the holiness of the plain believer set among the doctors of the great council.
Also listed in bishops beyond the great sees.
Common questions
When did Spyridon live?
Spyridon of Trimythous is dated c. 270 – c. 348 in the archive, which places Spyridon in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Spyridon?
Spyridon of Trimythous is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Rufinus of Aquileia, Socrates Scholasticus and Sozomen. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Spyridon from?
The archive associates Spyridon of Trimythous with Trimythous, Cyprus. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Spyridon’s contemporaries?
The archive links Spyridon of Trimythous to 4 other figures, including Nicholas of Myra, Paphnutius the Confessor, Hosius of Cordova and Triphylius of Ledra. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Church History X.5 (the shepherd-bishop's wonders)
c. AD 402Ecclesiastical History I.12 (Socrates)
c. AD 439Spyridon… was so pious a shepherd that he was counted worthy of the office of a shepherd of men. He continued to feed his sheep even during the time he was a bishop.Socrates Scholasticus · I.12 · source text
Church History I.11 (the night-thieves bound till dawn)
c. AD 445Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 301 · Hripsime and her company, AD 301
- AD 303 · The Great Persecution begins, AD 303
- AD 303 · The search of the church at Cirta, AD 303
- AD 306 · The Council of Elvira, AD 306
- AD 311 · Galerius’ edict of Serdica, AD 311
- AD 313 · The Edict of Milan, AD 313
- AD 314 · The Council of Arles, AD 314
- AD 320 · Silvanus tried before Zenophilus, AD 320
- AD 325 · The Council of Nicaea, AD 325
- AD 339 · The persecution of Shapur II, AD 339
- AD 343 · The Council of Serdica, AD 343
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Spyridon.
- 1Cyprusprovince only